Morocco

Senegal players paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in front of thousands of fans on Saturday, despite the Confederation of African Football's decision to strip the country of the title.

Morocco got FIFA permission to select Fulham defender Issa Diop and Ajax midfielder Rayane Bounida among seven players recruited this month by the 2022 World Cup semifinalist ahead of the next edition in North America, and 16 in total since last March.

Senegal will present the AFCON trophy to its fans in France on Saturday despite the decision by CAF to strip the country of its 2026 title and award it to Morocco instead, the Senegalese FA said.

Rarely has an international break largely devoid of competitive fixtures felt so loaded for Africa's national sides, with the continent still reeling in the aftermath of a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal have lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport following the decision to overturn the country's Africa Cup of Nations victory against Morocco, but a final decision is expected to take some time.

George Weah condemned CAF's decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award the trophy to Morocco, warning that the ruling has delivered a damaging blow to the continent's reputation.

With less than three months until the World Cup, Puma has become the latest kit provider to release several new away shirts that will be featured this summer.

Ed Dove, who was at the AFCON final, writes that Africa will be unlikely to herald Morocco as African champions after either their antics during the tournament nor the manner of their 'victory'.

The Senegalese Football Federation has announced its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after the country was stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title.

CAF has come to the correct outcome over the furor that was the 2026 AFCON final. But the fact it has taken two months to award Morocco the African title is an indictment on those in charge.