Morocco are the best-represented nation at the CAF Awards 2026, with 16 nominations across the main categories, including the African Player of the Year award commonly known as the African Ballon d’Or.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the shortlisted candidates on Wednesday, covering awards such as Player of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Club of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year and National Team of the Year.
Five countries account for 45 of the 70 nominations, highlighting their influence on African football in 2026.
Morocco’s total includes three candidates for Player of the Year – Ismael Saibari, Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz – as well as three nominees for Interclub Player of the Year: Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, Mounir Chouiar and Sofiane El Moudane.
AS FAR, OC Safi and RS Berkane are all in contention for Club of the Year. Morocco also have two Goalkeeper of the Year nominees, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti and Yassine Bounou, while Mohamed Ouahbi and Walid Regragui are shortlisted for Coach of the Year.
Abdellah Ouazane and Ayyoub Bouaddi are Morocco’s representatives for Young Player of the Year, with the country also nominated for National Team of the Year.
Egypt are next with nine nominees, almost half Morocco’s tally. El-Mahdi Soliman and Mostafa Shobeir are shortlisted for Goalkeeper of the Year, while Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” and Mohamed Shehata are in the running for Interclub Player of the Year.
Hossam Hassan, who was dismissed as Egypt manager on Saturday because of marital problems, and Moatamed Gamal are nominated for Coach of the Year. Hamza Abdelkarim is a Young Player of the Year candidate and Zamalek are shortlisted for Club of the Year. Egypt’s national team is also nominated.
Senegal complete the top three
Senegal have eight representatives. Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye and Sadio Mane are nominated for Player of the Year, with Edouard Mendy shortlisted for Goalkeeper of the Year.
Lamine N’Diaye and Pape Thiaw are among the Coach of the Year nominees, while Ibrahim Mbaye is in contention for Young Player of the Year. Senegal’s national team completes the country’s entries.
Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire round out the top five, with seven and five nominations respectively.
Algeria are represented by Oussama Benbot for Goalkeeper of the Year; Abdennour Belhocini and Ahmed Khaldi for Interclub Player of the Year; Ibrahim Maza for Young Player of the Year; and the national team. CR Belouizdad and USM Alger are nominated for Club of the Year.
For Cote d’Ivoire, Amad Diallo is shortlisted for Player of the Year, Yahia Fofana for Goalkeeper of the Year, and Christ Inao Oulai and Yan Diomande for Young Player of the Year. The national team is also nominated.
The winners will be announced on 7 December in Lagos, Nigeria.