Confederation of African Football releases 2026 award nominees

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled the nomination lists for its 2026 awards ceremony. This annual event serves to honour the most exceptional talents across the continent, highlighting performances recorded during the 2025/2026 football season. The nominations cover a wide range of categories, acknowledging significant contributions made by players at both the domestic club level and on the international stage while representing their respective nations.

Among the prominent names featured in this year's shortlist are Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo, Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, and Ivorian centre-back Ousmane Diomande. These athletes have been recognized for their consistency and impact in major leagues and continental competitions over the past year. The inclusion of Semenyo reflects a strong period of form for the Black Stars striker, while Hakimi and Diomande continue to represent the elite tier of African defensive talent performing at the highest levels of the sport.

The CAF Awards remain the most prestigious individual honours in African football, aiming to celebrate excellence and inspire the next generation of athletes. While the full breakdown of all categories—including Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and National Team of the Year—has been made public, the final winners will be determined following a rigorous selection process. This typically involves CAF’s technical committee, media professionals, and the head coaches and captains of member associations. The upcoming ceremony is expected to draw significant attention from the global football community as Africa crowns its best for the season.