The Africa Cup of Nations reaches its climax in Rabat this Sunday as hosts Morocco face defending champions Senegal in a heavyweight final.
Morocco reached the showpiece after a tense penalty shootout win over Nigeria, while Senegal booked their place in a second consecutive final with a narrow 1-0 victory over Egypt.
The Atlas Lions are looking to win their first continental title in 50 years, while the Lions of Teranga aim to become the first team to successfully defend the trophy since Egypt in 2010.
Match details
- Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT (21:00 local time)
- Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
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How to watch across Africa and beyond
The final will be broadcast to a global audience with extensive coverage across the African continent:
- Pan-Africa: SuperSport (Sub-Saharan Africa) and Canal+ Afrique (French-speaking regions) are the primary rights holders.
- North Africa & MENA: beIN Sports provides exclusive coverage. In Morocco, the final will be available free-to-air on Arryadia TNT.
- Local Free-to-Air: National broadcasters across the continent will show the match, including:
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Senegal: RTS (Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise)
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Nigeria: NTA and the Afia TV network
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South Africa: SABC 1 and the SABC+ app
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Ivory Coast: RTI
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East Africa: Azam Sports (Tanzania) and KBC (Kenya)
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- UK: Live and free-to-air on Channel 4 and the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel.
- USA & Canada: beIN SPORTS, available to stream via Fubo and Sling TV.
Team news
Senegal appear to have a fully fit squad for the final. Head coach Pape Thiaw is expected to stick with the side that edged past Egypt, with Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson leading the attack.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly will lead a defense that has conceded only twice throughout the entire tournament. Iliman Ndiaye, the quarter-final hero, is likely to continue his role in a fluid front three.
The final awaits, Mané. 🇸🇳🌟#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/wKS6Uj8j8S
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 15, 2026
Morocco are still without influential midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, but Ismaël Saibari has impressed as his replacement in the knockout rounds. The hosts will lean heavily on Brahim DÃaz, who is the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals. Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou—the hero of the semi-final shootout—are both fit and expected to start in front of a sell-out home crowd.
View from the camps
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw:
“We have worked for three years to stay at the top of African football. Playing the hosts in the final is the biggest challenge possible, but we have the experience and the composure to retain our title.”
Morocco coach Walid Regragui:
“This is the moment a whole generation has waited for. We have a lot of respect for Senegal, the champions, but we are playing at home and we want to make history for Morocco.”
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Match facts
- This is the first ever meeting between Senegal and Morocco in an AFCON final.
- Morocco have won 18 of the 31 previous meetings between the two sides, though their last competitive clash ended in a 1-1 draw.
- Senegal are appearing in their third AFCON final in the last four editions (2019, 2021, and 2025).
- The winner of the match will receive a record $10 million in prize money, while the runner-up will take home $4 million.
- A win for Morocco would make them the first host nation to win the title since Ivory Coast in 2023.
