Mohamed Salah debate grows after CAF reveals 2026 African Player of the Year nominees

The absence of Mohamed Salah from the Confederation of African Football’s shortlist for the 2026 African Player of the Year award has prompted considerable debate.

The nominees, announced on Wednesday, include three Morocco internationals: Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz and Bayern Munich’s Ismael Saibari.

Senegal also has three representatives on the list, with Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye and Al Nassr forward Sadio Mane included.

The remaining nominees are Ivory Coast and Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana and Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo, and South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns.

Salah’s omission has divided opinion, particularly on social media. Those questioning the decision have pointed to Mokoena’s inclusion, arguing that he plays in a domestic league that is not regarded as one of the strongest even within Africa.

Mokoena’s selection follows Mamelodi Sundowns’ African Champions League triumph, as well as his involvement with South Africa at the World Cup, where he scored once.

Salah, meanwhile, endured an inconsistent season with Liverpool but helped Egypt reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. He also played a role in the Pharaohs reaching the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.

Egypt came close to reaching the quarter-finals after taking a 2-0 lead against Argentina, but ultimately surrendered that advantage.

The forward has continued to make an impression since joining Trabzonspor, where he has emerged as one of the standout players in the Turkish league this season.

However, some observers believe Salah’s exclusion was justified because of his performances for Liverpool and a marked decline in his numbers compared with previous years.

The debate therefore centres on whether Salah should have been included among the nominees, even if he was not considered a leading contender to win the award.

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, 7 December, in Lagos, Nigeria. The event is expected to be attended by leading figures from African football, including players, coaches and representatives of national associations and clubs.