Afcon 2026: A Tournament of Contrasts and Consequences
The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations concluded in dramatic fashion as Senegal secured their second championship title with a 1-0 victory over Morocco following extra time. However, the final was marred by a sixteen-minute walk-off protest from the Senegalese team, casting a shadow over what was otherwise a tournament showcasing significant progress in African football infrastructure and global appeal.
Infrastructure Excellence and Competitive Quality
Morocco's hosting of the tournament demonstrated remarkable preparation, particularly through substantial investment in facilities. The nation spent approximately $1.4 billion on six stadiums alone, with a further $10 billion allocated to allied public transport infrastructure including high-speed rail systems. These impeccable playing surfaces contributed to high-quality matches throughout the competition, with fewer surprises as the tournament progressed. All four semi-finalists – Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal – were top-ranked in their groups, culminating in a final contested by Africa's two highest-ranked teams.
Expanded Global Reach and Commercial Success
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) reported a 90% increase in revenue for this edition, reaching $192.6 million with $114 million profit – a significant rise from the previous tournament's $105.6 million revenue and $72 million profit. This commercial success was driven by expanded media coverage across key markets including China, Brazil, and major European nations. With prominent players from elite European clubs participating, global viewership saw remarkable increases, particularly in France (3.4 million viewers) and the United Kingdom (1.7 million viewers).
Attendance figures also showed substantial growth, with 1.34 million spectators attending matches compared to 1.1 million in the 2023 tournament hosted by Côte d'Ivoire. Morocco's geographical proximity to Europe likely contributed to increased travel from the continent, while prize money reached record levels with Senegal receiving $11.6 million for their victory and even group stage eliminated teams earning $1.3 million each.
Controversial Incidents and Security Concerns
Despite these achievements, several concerning incidents highlighted areas requiring improvement. The championship game was disrupted when Senegal's players walked off the pitch for sixteen minutes following a controversial penalty decision awarded to Morocco during extra time. This protest occurred after Senegal had a late regulation-time goal disallowed, prompting angry scenes in the stands where fans tore seats and multiple fights broke out before Sadio Mané persuaded his teammates to continue playing.
Throughout the tournament, questions were raised about refereeing decisions, with Morocco appearing to benefit from several contentious calls. Additional concerns included Moroccan ball boys seizing goalkeepers' towels from opposing teams during matches against Nigeria and Senegal. Ticketing challenges also emerged, with sold-out tickets failing to prevent empty seats during group games, possibly due to secondary sellers over-purchasing tickets they couldn't resell.
Lessons for Future Tournaments
The 2026 Afcon demonstrated Morocco's readiness to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, with all six cities used for Afcon scheduled to host World Cup matches. However, the tournament revealed critical lessons for future hosts, particularly Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda who will jointly host the 2027 edition. These include:
- Improving stadium security to prevent pitch invasions and fan disturbances
- Enhancing referee training through exchange programmes with other confederations
- Addressing ticketing system vulnerabilities to ensure genuine attendance
- Implementing better protocols for ball personnel and match officials
While the on-field disturbances should not overshadow the tournament's infrastructure accomplishments and commercial success, they provide clear guidance for CAF and future hosts seeking to build upon Morocco's organizational achievements while addressing the competitive integrity and security concerns that emerged during this dramatic edition of Africa's premier football competition.
