The 2026 CAF Awards will take place in Lagos on Monday, 7 December, with the continent’s leading players competing to succeed the current African Ballon d’Or holder.

The ceremony will be staged at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which has confirmed both the date and venue.

Among the players expected to feature in the early discussion are Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, Senegal forward Sadio Mane and his international team-mate Ismaila Sarr.

Preparations for the event are gathering pace in Nigeria. A delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), visiting facilities being considered for upcoming major events, met Shehu Dikko, president of the National Sports Commission, on Tuesday.

A 15-member CAF delegation, led by its head of security Christian Emeruwa, is scheduled to carry out a second and final inspection of the relevant facilities.

The inspection will also cover Abuja, where CAF’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly will be held on 21 November at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

Both gatherings are regarded as important events for CAF, which is seeking to ensure the organisation and delivery of each programme runs smoothly.

Early contenders for the award

Hakimi is considered a leading candidate after another season at the highest level. The Morocco international has established himself as a global reference point in his position and remains one of the most prominent African players in world football.

Mane also has a strong case. Although he has not been as prominent as during the best years of his career, the Senegal forward played an important role for the Lions of Teranga at the Africa Cup of Nations in January before winning the Saudi championship with Al-Nassr.

Sarr may also merit consideration after an impressive campaign with Crystal Palace and Senegal. The forward was not included among the 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or, but his performances for club and country have strengthened his claim to be part of the CAF debate.

CAF has not yet published the official list of nominees, meaning any assessment of the leading candidates remains provisional.

The date and location of the ceremony are now settled, however, with the successor to the current African Ballon d’Or holder due to be announced in Lagos on 7 December 2026.