Chaos of Africa Cup final reflects badly on Morocco's prospects as 2030 World Cup co-host

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco’s dry run as a 2030 Would Cup co-host could hardly have gone worse with the chaotic end to the Africa Cup of Nations.

The final was marred Sunday by fighting between fans and stewards on the field and a walk-off from the Senegal team which felt a grave injustice had been done after having a potential trophy-winning goal ruled out in stoppage time before host Morocco was awarded a penalty.

Outraged Senegalese supporters jumped over barricades and landed in photographers’ positions behind one of the goals, where they threw chairs onto the field and battled with stewards before police arrived to try and restore order.

Meanwhile rival players clashed on the sideline, with Morocco coach Walid Regragui involved in the melee, possibly to calm tensions. Tempers also flared in the press box.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the “unacceptable scenes” and slammed the Senegalese players for leaving the field after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco the penalty.

The fighting continued even while play resumed for Morocco star Brahim Díaz to take one of the worst penalties in soccer history. Pape Gueye then scored in extra time for Senegal to win the final 1-0.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw’s postgame conference was called off after he arrived smiling for journalists’ questions when he was booed — presumably by Moroccan journalists — and arguments broke out between accredited media.

Apart from the failures in security that allowed fans reach the field of play during the final, there were other incidents that reflected badly on Morocco as host, including the ongoing battle that Senegal’s reserve goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf had trying to stop Moroccan ball boys from stealing starting ’keeper Édouard Mendy’s towels during the match.

Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also had his towel taken before the penalty shootout against Morocco in the semifinal.

Morocco also seemed to benefit from favorable refereeing throughout the tournament, while its image as a good host was somewhat marred by the deafening whistles opposing teams faced from the Moroccan fans in the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the home side played all its games.

Before the final, the Senegalese Football Federation strongly condemned local authorities for how its team had been treated upon its arrival in Rabat for the match.

Morocco is a main co-host for the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal. It still harbors hopes of hosting the final in the under-construction Hassan II Stadium, set to be the largest soccer arena in the world with a capacity of 115,000 after its planned completion in 2028.

Rail links taking supporters from Rabat to stadium venues in Tangier, Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir and Fez are excellent, while the ticket app from national railway ONCF is available in English, French or Arabic and straightforward for foreign fans to use.

The motorways between the main cities are also excellent and were praised by journalists arriving from other African countries.

Morocco has already invested heavily in infrastructure and facilities as it bids to become a soccer superpower, and it hasn't finished yet.

The kingdom next hosts the Women’s Africa Cup for the third time straight from March 17.

AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Players from both sides clash after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, center, clashes with Senegal players after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)

Senegal supporters are taken from the stadium by security officers after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)

Senegal supporters protest after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese police have detained those in charge of a steel factory in the Inner Mongolia region after an explosion killed four people and left 84 others hospitalized, state media said.

The death toll rose to four during the day Monday as rescuers searched for the missing. State broadcaster CCTV said six more people remained unaccounted-for.

The 3 p.m. blast at a Baogang United Steel plant in the city of Baotou on Sunday caused tremors in the surrounding area and sent a massive cloud of white smoke skyward.

A pressurized storage tank designed to hold steam and high-temperature water exploded, city officials said. Baogang United Steel is a major state-owned company.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, damaged buildings are seen following an explosion at a factory in Baotou, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Xinhua via AP)

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, smoke rises from the site of explosions from a factory in Baotou, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Xinhua via AP)