Three Moroccan football stars have been shortlisted for the 2026 African Player of the Year award, while Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has been left out.
Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari are among the 10 nominees announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
According to Al Jazeera, the winner will be announced on December 2, with Hakimi hoping to retain the award he won in 2025.
The nominations follow a remarkable year for Moroccan football, including a World Cup quarterfinal appearance.
Morocco dominates African Player of the Year shortlist
Morocco has more nominees than any other country in the men’s category.
Hakimi remains a leading contender after helping Paris Saint-Germain win a second consecutive UEFA Champions League title.
Meanwhile, Diaz continued to impress at Real Madrid, while Saibari enjoyed a successful year with Morocco and Bayern Munich.
Saibari scored three goals during Morocco’s World Cup campaign, making him the country’s leading scorer at the tournament.
Hakimi also scored as Morocco reached the quarterfinals.
The three players were involved in Morocco’s disputed Africa Cup of Nations triumph earlier in 2026.
Senegal initially defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time. However, Morocco was subsequently awarded the title following a dispute over Senegal’s walk-off during the final.
Senegal has appealed that decision, with a ruling expected later in November.
Full African Player of the Year shortlist
The 10 nominees represent six African countries.
- Achraf Hakimi — Morocco
- Brahim Diaz — Morocco
- Ismael Saibari — Morocco
- Amad Diallo — Ivory Coast
- Yoane Wissa — DR Congo
- Antoine Semenyo — Ghana
- Ismaila Sarr — Senegal
- Pape Gueye — Senegal
- Sadio Mane — Senegal
- Teboho Mokoena — South Africa
Morocco and Senegal each have three players on the shortlist.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Ghana and South Africa each have one nominee.
Mohamed Salah misses African football awards shortlist
One of the biggest surprises is the absence of Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian forward won the African Player of the Year award in 2017 and 2018.
However, he did not make the 2026 shortlist despite his reputation as one of Africa’s most accomplished footballers.
Salah, who now plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor according to Al Jazeera, faces growing competition from a new generation of African stars.
Hakimi won the 2025 award ahead of Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
His victory made him the first Moroccan winner since 1998 and the first defender to claim the honour since 1973.
Cameroon stars lead women’s nominations
Cameroon also features prominently in the women’s award categories.
According to Al Jazeera, Cameroon’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations success has helped several players earn recognition.
Midfielder Monique Ngock, goalkeeper Michaely Bihina and forward Marie Ngah Manga are among the standout names.
Ngock was named player of the tournament, while Bihina received the competition’s best goalkeeper award.
Ngah Manga scored twice in Cameroon’s 3-0 final victory over Malawi.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga are among the leading contenders for the women’s individual award.
South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana is also in contention after scoring four goals during the tournament.
CAF awards ceremony set for December
The 2026 CAF Awards will recognise Africa’s leading players, coaches, goalkeepers and emerging talents.
Morocco’s World Cup performances have also influenced nominations in the coaching and young-player categories.
Among the coaching nominees are Morocco’s Mohamed Ouahbi and Walid Regragui, alongside DR Congo’s Sebastien Desabre.
With several major contenders competing for recognition, the African Player of the Year race remains open ahead of the December 2 ceremony.
For Hakimi, another victory would strengthen his standing among the continent’s leading footballers.