A Moroccan trio challenges Senegal's stars for the 2026 African Player of the Year award: and a surprise regarding Salah
Get to know the full list of nominees
Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain star, heads the shortlist for the 2026 African Player of the Year award alongside Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz and Bayern Munich forward Ismael Saibari. CAF unveiled the nominees on Wednesday, and one name was conspicuous by its absence: Egyptian star Mohamed Salah of Turkey's Trabzonspor.
Ten players make the final list, three of them Moroccan. That tally underlines just how well Moroccan football is represented among the continent's leading lights. Salah, for all his standing in the African game, misses out.
Lagos hosts the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony on Monday 7 December. An elite gathering of Africa's biggest stars is expected to attend, along with coaches and representatives from federations and clubs.
Joining the shortlist are Ivorian Amad Diallo of Manchester United, Congolese Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United, Ghanaian Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City and South African Thibang Mokoena. They are completed by the Senegalese trio of Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace, Pape Gueye of Villarreal and Sadio Mane, now with Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr.
Morocco against Senegal looks the standout battle for the 2026 award, each country boasting three nominees.
Hakimi is the name to beat after another commanding campaign with Paris Saint-Germain. Diaz and Saibari, meanwhile, will look to turn their form at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich into a serious tilt at the continental crown.
Salah's omission is the biggest shock on the list. The Egypt captain has grown used to featuring in the conversation for Africa's individual honours, and he has won this award twice.
Crowned African Player of the Year for 2025 in the Moroccan capital Rabat on 19 November, Hakimi saw off his rivals on the back of an exceptional season. He lifted the UEFA Champions League, the French league, the French Cup and the European Super Cup with Paris Saint-Germain, and also reached the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final.
