CAF unveils 2026 award nominees with Mamelodi Sundowns and Morocco among the contenders

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the nominees for its 2026 awards for the continent’s best club and national team, with Arab football strongly represented in both categories.

Ten clubs are in contention for the men’s best club award. The list is led by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning CAF Champions League winners, and USM Alger of Algeria, who lifted the CAF Confederation Cup.

The remaining nominees include Algerian side CR Belouizdad and three Moroccan clubs: AS FAR, Olympic Club Safi and RS Berkane.

Egyptian club Zamalek are also among the contenders, alongside Asec Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudanese club Al Hilal, and Tunisia’s Esperance.

The nominations give North African clubs a prominent presence in the club category, with teams from Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia all represented. South Africa, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo complete the geographical spread of the 10-team list.

National team nominees

The best national team award will also be contested by 10 sides, including Morocco, the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and Senegal, who finished runners-up in that tournament.

Egypt have been nominated after reaching the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. Cape Verde are also on the list after reaching the round of 32 at the tournament for the first time in their history.

Algeria and Tunisia complete the Arab representation in the national team category.

The other nominees are Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa. The list therefore includes teams from across the continent, with Morocco and Senegal recognised for their performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, while Egypt and Cape Verde are included following their progress at the 2026 World Cup.

CAF is scheduled to hold its 2026 awards ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December. Winners in the various categories will be announced after the nomination phase has concluded.