Hakimi leads three-man Morocco challenge as Mohamed Salah misses CAF award shortlist

Three Moroccan players have been included among the 10 nominees for the 2026 CAF African Player of the Year award, while Egypt captain Mohamed Salah is the notable omission from the list announced by the Confederation of African Football on Wednesday.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz and Bayern Munich forward Ismaila Sarr are the Moroccan representatives in the final shortlist. Their inclusion underlines Morocco’s strong presence among the leading players in African football.

Morocco’s main challenge comes from Senegal, who also have three nominees. The Senegalese players are Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye and Al-Nassr forward Sadio Mane.

The remaining nominees are Manchester United’s Ivorian winger Amad Diallo, Newcastle United’s DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa, Manchester City’s Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo and South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena of Sundowns.

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, 7 December. The event is expected to bring together leading African players, coaches, football association representatives and club officials.

Hakimi is among the leading contenders after continuing to play a prominent role for Paris Saint-Germain. Brahim Diaz and Ismaila Sarr will also hope their performances for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively strengthen their claims for the continent’s top individual prize.

The absence of Salah is the biggest surprise in the shortlist. The Trabzonspor forward has regularly featured among the leading candidates for African individual honours and has won the African Player of the Year award twice.

Hakimi won the 2025 award at a ceremony held in Rabat, Morocco, on 19 November. His victory followed an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain, during which he won the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Super Cup.

He also helped the French club reach the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, further strengthening his case for the award.