Morocco and Senegal dominate 2026 CAF award shortlist as Mohamed Salah misses out

Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari are among the 10 nominees for the 2026 African Player of the Year award, with Morocco and Senegal providing three candidates each.

The shortlist was announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday. Mohamed Salah, the Egypt captain and Trabzonspor forward, is the most notable omission.

Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, is joined by Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz and Bayern Munich forward Ismael Saibari in representing Morocco. Their inclusion underlines the strength of Moroccan football among the leading players competing for the continent’s top individual honour.

The three Senegalese nominees are Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye and Al-Nassr forward Sadio Mane.

The other shortlisted players are Amad Diallo of Manchester United, Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa, Manchester City attacker Antoine Semenyo and Teboho Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns.

The CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, 7 December. The event is expected to bring together leading African players, coaches, representatives of national associations and club officials.

The strongest contest on the shortlist is between Morocco and Senegal, with each nation supplying three of the 10 nominees.

Hakimi is regarded as one of the leading contenders after continuing to play a prominent role for Paris Saint-Germain. Diaz and Saibari will also hope their performances for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively strengthen their claims for the continental prize.

Salah’s absence is a major surprise given his regular involvement in African individual awards. The Egyptian has won the African Player of the Year award twice.

Hakimi claimed the 2025 award at a ceremony in Rabat on 19 November. He prevailed after an outstanding season in which he helped Paris Saint-Germain win the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup.

He also reached the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with the French club.