Sénégal Celebrates CAN Title at Stade de France Amidst Legal Challenge from Morocco
SAINT-DENIS, FRANCE – Despite a looming legal dispute with Morocco, the Senegal national football team celebrated their Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) triumph with a parade at the Stade de France on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The celebration, orchestrated by Senegalese musician Youssou Ndour, saw captain Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy present the coveted trophy to jubilant supporters from the Senegalese diaspora before a friendly match against Peru.
The celebratory atmosphere unfolded even as questions surrounding the validity of Senegal’s title continue to swirl. Morocco is challenging the result of the CAN final, alleging irregularities in the officiating during the match, which Senegal won after a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) initially awarded the title to Senegal, but later initiated a review of the match outcome.
Saturday’s event at the Stade de France served as a powerful display of Senegalese pride and unity. Koulibaly and Mendy, key figures in Senegal’s championship run, carried the trophy onto the pitch to a chorus of cheers. The presentation in the stands, before the President of the Senegalese Football Federation, underscored the significance of the moment for the nation. Notably absent from the celebration were Sadio Mané and Iliman Ndiaye, with Koulibaly and Mendy given a lighter workload in preparation for the friendly against Peru, which Senegal won 2-0 against a Peru side that finished ninth out of ten in their World Cup qualifying group.
A Contentious Final and Ongoing Dispute
The CAN 2026 final between Senegal and Morocco was marred by controversy in its closing moments. The match was tied 1-1 when a penalty was awarded to Senegal in the 98th minute after a VAR review of a challenge by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz. The decision sparked outrage from the Moroccan team and coaching staff, leading to a temporary walk-off by the Moroccan players. Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, initially instructed his team to leave the field in protest of earlier decisions made by the referee, Jean Jacques Ndala.
After a delay of approximately 17 minutes, play resumed, and Diaz stepped up to take the penalty. In a stunning turn of events, Diaz attempted a “Panenka” style penalty, which was comfortably saved by Mendy. The referee immediately blew the final whistle, awarding the victory to Senegal. However, the circumstances surrounding the penalty decision and the subsequent protests have fueled the Moroccan Football Federation’s legal challenge.
Focus Shifts to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Playoff
Beyond the ongoing saga of the CAN final, the world of African football also turned its attention to the crucial World Cup playoff match between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Jamaica. The match, played on March 31, 2026, represented a final opportunity for either nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The DRC, absent from the World Cup for 52 years, faced a Jamaican side that last participated in the tournament in 1998. Jamaica had previously eliminated New Caledonia in their qualifying campaign. The stakes were high, with the winner earning a place in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. The DRC, ranked lower than Jamaica at 69th in the FIFA rankings, needed a strong performance to overcome their opponents and secure a coveted spot in the tournament.
Other International Friendlies
Elsewhere, Mauritania demonstrated resilience in a friendly match against the reigning World Champions, Argentina. Despite falling behind by two goals in the first half at La Bombonera, the Mauritanians fought back and were rewarded for their determination. Argentina ultimately won the match, but Mauritania’s performance showcased their growing competitiveness on the international stage. Argentina will next face Zambia.
France’s reserve team, captained by Ngolo Kanté, continued their successful tour of the United States with a victory over Colombia in Maryland. This followed a previous win against Brazil in Boston. Although the results have been encouraging, observers caution against overconfidence, recalling past periods of apparent strength that ultimately did not translate into success in major tournaments like the 2021 European Championship and the 2002 World Cup.
The international football calendar continues to deliver compelling narratives, from the celebrations in France to the high-stakes playoff battles and the ongoing disputes that shape the beautiful game. The coming weeks will undoubtedly bring further drama and excitement as teams around the world prepare for the challenges ahead.
Next Up: The Democratic Republic of Congo will await the results of their playoff match against Jamaica, with the winner securing a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Further updates on the legal dispute between Senegal and Morocco are expected from CAF in the coming weeks.
