which country won afcon 2026

Senegal won AFCON 2026, defeating host nation Morocco 1–0 after extra time in the final.

Quick Scoop

• The champions : Senegal lifted the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026 trophy, their second continental title in the last three editions.

• The final score: 1–0 to Senegal after extra time, with the decisive goal scored by Pape Gueye in the 94th minute.

• The opponents: Morocco hosted the tournament and reached the final but fell just short in front of their home fans.

How the Final Was Won

• Late drama: In stoppage time of regular play, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed a high‑pressure penalty that could have won them the title, with Édouard Mendy making the crucial save.

• Extra‑time hero: Soon after extra time began, Pape Gueye struck a powerful shot to give Senegal the lead and ultimately the trophy.

• Chaotic scenes: The match featured controversy over refereeing decisions, including a disallowed Senegal goal and the debated Morocco penalty, leading to a brief walk‑off by Senegal’s players before they returned and finished the game.

Why This Win Matters

• Growing legacy: This is Senegal’s second AFCON title, following their first ever continental triumph in 2022 against Egypt.

• Tournament hosts heartbroken: Morocco, dreaming of a historic home victory and their first AFCON crown in 50 years, were left devastated after coming so close.

• Looking ahead: Senegal now carry major momentum into upcoming World Cup preparations, while debates over the dramatic final have become a major trending topic in African football discussions and sports forums.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.