CAF Shortlists Hakimi for African Player of Year
The Confederation of African Football released a 10-man shortlist for its African Footballer of the Year award, with Mohamed Salah left off.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Soccer
CAF released a 10-man shortlist for the African Footballer of the Year award, led by Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari. Mohamed Salah is absent from the list.
Why it matters
The shortlist reflects a season in which Morocco won the AFCON title and players from the Moroccan squad and beyond gained prominence in Europe. Salah's omission is a notable absence from a list that otherwise features several European-based African stars.
Ismael Saibari, a shortlisted nominee, scored three goals for Morocco at the World Cup and moved to Bayern Munich for a 50 million euro fee (about $56m). The shortlist was announced by CAF last week, and the final award ceremony is set for December.
The players
Confederation of African Football (CAF)
CAF is the governing body for association football across Africa and organizes the African Footballer of the Year award.
Achraf Hakimi
Hakimi is a Morocco international defender who helped Paris Saint-Germain win a second consecutive Champions League title.
Ismael Saibari
Saibari is a Morocco midfielder who was the national team's top scorer at the World Cup and recently joined Bayern Munich.
Mohamed Salah
Salah is an Egyptian forward and one of Africa's most prominent players, absent from this year's shortlist.
The details
CAF published the shortlist of 10 players last week, including Hakimi, Diaz and Saibari. Morocco's AFCON title in January came after Senegal walked off the pitch over a disputed penalty, a decision Senegal is now appealing with a ruling expected at the end of November.
Timeline
January 2026: Morocco won the AFCON title after Senegal's walkout.
Summer 2026: Bayern Munich signed Saibari for 50 million euros.
End of November 2026: Decision expected on Senegal's appeal over the AFCON title.
December 2026: African Footballer of the Year award ceremony.
Season Trajectory
The shortlist arrives while Senegal's appeal over the AFCON final, lost 1-0 after extra time, remains unresolved. Morocco's continental success and the European careers of several nominees are shaping the African award race.
Fantasy managers tracking African-based or Europe-based nominees should note that Hakimi, Diaz and Saibari are now in the award conversation. The December ceremony will be the final signal of the season's individual honors.
The takeaway
The shortlist shows how Morocco's continental success and European careers are reshaping the African award picture. Readers should watch the November appeal ruling and the December ceremony for the final result.
What happens next
A decision on Senegal's appeal over the AFCON title is expected at the end of November, and the African Footballer of the Year winner will be revealed at the December ceremony.
Further reading
For more on the competition behind this shortlist, see our Soccer coverage.
