CAF Awards 2026 Set for December 2 in Lagos, Nigeria

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the 2026 CAF Awards will take place on December 2, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria. This prestigious ceremony will bring together Africa's biggest football stars, coaches, clubs, and national teams to celebrate excellence across the continent. The event will be held at the iconic Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre.

The 2026 CAF Awards will recognize excellence across 18 different categories, including the CAF Men's Player of the Year and CAF Women's Player of the Year awards. Other categories will honor the achievements of coaches, goalkeepers, emerging talents, football clubs, and national teams that have made significant contributions to the game. The awards will provide an opportunity to celebrate individuals and teams whose performances have inspired football supporters across Africa and beyond.

Lagos will host the CAF Awards for the first time since 2014, marking the return of the continent's flagship football awards ceremony to Nigeria's largest city after a 12-year absence. The event will combine sporting excellence with the continent's rich cultural heritage, music, and entertainment. Leading figures from African football will gather for a special celebration at the Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Arts.

The 2026 edition of the CAF Awards promises to be one of the major highlights on the African sporting calendar, recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions that have shaped another memorable year in African football. The ceremony will begin at 19:00 local time (20:00 Cairo time / 18:00 GMT). The event will be a significant celebration of African football, honoring those who have made remarkable contributions to the game.

Voting for the 2026 CAF Awards is currently underway, with the process scheduled to run from November 5 to November 20, 2026. CAF member associations and clubs are involved in the selection process, with eligible coaches and national team captains encouraged to submit their votes for the year's outstanding performers. The voting system is designed to promote broad representation across African football while ensuring fairness and transparency.

The CAF Awards will provide another opportunity to recognize the players, coaches, and teams who have contributed to the continued growth and development of football on the continent. With Africa's leading football personalities expected to attend, the event will be a significant celebration of African football. Independent monitoring will be used to protect the integrity of the selection process ahead of the December 2 ceremony.

The return of the CAF Awards to Lagos will be a significant moment for African football, celebrating the achievements of those who have made a significant impact on the game. The event will be a fitting end to the year, honoring those who have contributed to the growth and development of football in Africa. The CAF Awards 2026 will be a major highlight of the African sporting calendar.

Key points

• The CAF Awards 2026 will take place on December 2, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria, celebrating excellence across 18 categories.
• The event will be held at the iconic Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre.
• Voting for the 2026 CAF Awards is currently underway, with the process scheduled to run from November 5 to November 20, 2026.