The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the 10 nominees for the 2026 African Player of the Year award, with reigning winner Achraf Hakimi included among the contenders for the honour.
The shortlist was published on 4 November 2026 as part of the CAF Awards 2026. It features established stars of African football alongside players who have made a significant impact in recent months.
The nominees are Amad Diallo of Cote d’Ivoire, Yoane Wissa of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Antoine Semenyo of Ghana, Ismael Saibari of Morocco, Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz of Morocco, Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye and Sadio Mane of Senegal, and Teboho Mokoena of South Africa.
Hakimi, a key figure for Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain, is among the leading names in the running. The defender is joined on the list by international team-mate Brahim Diaz, who has also produced a series of notable performances.
The Morocco international was the last recipient of the award and is now competing with nine other players for the prize. The winner will be confirmed at the CAF Awards ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December.
Senegal has the largest presence alongside Morocco, with three nominees each. Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye and Sadio Mane represent the West African nation, while Mane brings considerable experience of competing for major individual honours after previously winning the African Ballon d’Or.
Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana and South Africa each have one representative in the final selection. The inclusion of Amad Diallo and Antoine Semenyo highlights the emergence of newer figures on the international stage, while Wissa and Mokoena complete a strong group of candidates.
The nominations recognise individual performances during the relevant period at both club and international level. The players will be assessed according to the criteria set by CAF and the voting process established for this year’s awards.
The African Player of the Year trophy remains one of the continent’s most sought-after individual distinctions. The final result will determine whether Hakimi retains the award or one of the nine challengers takes the honour in Lagos.