CAF moves Africa's top football awards to December 2 in Lagos

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will be brought forward to December 2, instead of December 7.

In a statement, CAF said the event will take place at 7 p.m. local time at the Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Arts (National Theatre) in Lagos, Nigeria, with the participation of leading African football stars.

The CAF Awards return to Lagos for the first time since 2014, with winners to be honored in 18 categories, including Best Player and Best Female Player, as well as awards for coaches, goalkeepers, rising talents, clubs, and national teams.

Last Wednesday, CAF announced the shortlists for each category, featuring 10 nominees per award. Voting runs from November 5 to 20, with participation from member associations, clubs, coaches, and eligible team captains.

The Best Player shortlist includes three Moroccans: Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain, last year's winner, Ismail Saibari, and Ibrahim Diaz. The Best Female Player nominees include Morocco's Hanan Ait El Haj and Algeria's Marin Daffour.