AFCON 2025 crossed 6 billion digital views, the highest ever for a continental tournament

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco has delivered a historic digital moment. CAF says the tournament pulled more than six billion views across social platforms, making it the most-watched continental football competition online.

Beyond match broadcasts, AFCON dominated timelines through highlights, reactions, fan edits, and behind-the-scenes clips. CAF says video views alone crossed five billion, alongside hundreds of millions of likes, comments, and shares during the competition.

AFCON broke digital records, but the final between Senegal and Morocco resulted in CAF disciplinary action, including fines and suspensions for post-match misconduct.

AFCON did not just trend, it reshaped how African football travels

This year’s tournament showed how football fandom now lives online. TikTok emerged as AFCON’s loudest stage, with over one million fan-made videos under its official hashtag, from goal celebrations and match breakdowns to memes, fashion, and music.

For CAF, the surge matters because digital engagement now drives sponsorship value, media deals, and global reach. It also reflects how African football culture increasingly spreads through creators, diaspora communities, and real-time fan storytelling rather than just traditional broadcasts.

Also read: CAF announces that AFCON 2025 highlights will now show on Netflix

CAF says the digital numbers place AFCON ahead of every other continental competition globally in online engagement, a milestone that strengthens the tournament’s commercial pull ahead of future editions.

Morocco and Senegal hit with heavy fines, player suspensions

The tournament’s success came alongside disciplinary action against both finalists. CAF’s Disciplinary Board imposed fines totaling over $1 million following incidents during the final match.

Senegal received harsher penalties. The Senegalese Football Federation was fined $615,000 across three violations: $300,000 for supporter misconduct, another $300,000 for unsporting conduct by players and staff, and $15,000 for multiple player cautions.

Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw received a five-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for conduct that violated fair play principles. Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two matches for unsporting behavior toward the referee.

Morocco also received penalties. Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two games, with a possible additional one-game suspension within a year. Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three games and fined $100,000. Additionally, the Moroccan federation was fined $315,000 because of the behavior of ball boys, the team’s conduct regarding VAR, and the use of lasers by fans.

CAF also dismissed Morocco’s protest against Senegal over alleged rule violations in the final.

AFCON’s biggest digital moment highlighted the pressures of its growing global visibility. As African football’s audience and stakes increase, CAF must balance sustaining growth with stricter discipline on and off the field.

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