The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced that the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on the evening of Monday, December 7.
The decision was ratified during an online CAF Executive Committee meeting chaired by President Patrice Motsepe, which saw the approval of key dates and major events across the continent’s football calendar.
Lagos Prepares for Continental Showpiece
Africa’s football elite will converge on Lagos on December 7, where the African Player of the Year will be crowned alongside awards for Women’s Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club of the Year, National Team of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, and Young Player of the Year.
CAF has yet to release the preliminary or final nominee shortlists, which are scheduled for publication following comprehensive evaluation of player performances for club and country throughout 2026.
Nigeria is also slated to host the 48th Ordinary General Assembly of CAF on November 21 in Abuja, prior to the spotlight shifting to Lagos for the awards ceremony two weeks later.
Hakimi Current Holder; Eto’o and Yaya Lead All-Time Standings
Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi enters as the reigning African Player of the Year, having claimed the 2025 accolade following a landmark season with Paris Saint-Germain that featured titles in the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and UEFA Super Cup.
In the women’s category, Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak picked up the Women’s Player of the Year honor at the previous edition in Rabat, capping a double individual triumph for Moroccan football.
Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o and Ivory Coast’s Yaya Touré share the record for the most African Player of the Year titles, with four victories each. Eto’o won in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010, while Yaya Touré achieved four consecutive wins between 2011 and 2014.
Updated Tournament Calendar Confirmed
The Executive Committee also approved the comprehensive CAF competition calendar spanning 2026 through 2030, alongside confirming the African Football Strategy Conference in Sal Island, Cape Verde, scheduled for October 7–9.
Additionally, the upcoming edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League will take place from November 1 to 15, while Senegal is set to host the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations from November 28 through December 6.
