By Africalivenews
Nigeria has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 CAF Awards, with the prestigious ceremony scheduled to take place in Lagos on December 7.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the decision following a virtual meeting of its Executive Committee chaired by CAF President Patrice Motsepe on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The annual awards ceremony will bring together some of the biggest names in African football as CAF honours players, coaches and other personalities who have made significant contributions to the development and success of the sport on the continent.
Lagos will provide the setting for this year’s celebration as CAF brings the African football community together to recognise outstanding performances and achievements recorded during the year.
The CAF Awards have become one of the most prestigious events on the African football calendar, providing an opportunity to celebrate the continent’s finest talents across both men’s and women’s football.
Last year’s ceremony saw Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi claim the men’s top honour, while Morocco and Al Hilal midfielder Ghizlane Chebbak was named among the leading award winners in the women’s category.
The recognition of Hakimi and Chebbak reflected the growing influence of Moroccan football on the continental stage, with both players enjoying outstanding campaigns before receiving top honours.
The 2026 ceremony is expected to attract leading African footballers, coaches, administrators, legends and other important figures from across the continent.
Beyond the headline awards, the CAF ceremony traditionally provides an opportunity to recognise achievements across different areas of the game, including coaching, youth development and contributions to African football.
The event is also expected to generate significant attention from football supporters, broadcasters and commercial partners as the continent celebrates another year of football.
Nigeria’s selection as host adds another significant chapter to the country’s long association with African football.
The country has a rich football tradition and has produced some of Africa’s most celebrated players, coaches and teams over the years. Hosting the CAF Awards in Lagos will provide Nigeria with another opportunity to showcase its football heritage while welcoming some of the continent’s biggest football personalities.
The December ceremony will also come at the end of a busy year on the African football calendar, giving CAF an opportunity to reflect on some of the major performances and developments that have shaped the sport during 2026.
Attention will now turn to the nominees for the various categories, with players and coaches expected to compete for some of the most coveted individual honours in African football.
The final nominees and voting details are expected to generate considerable interest as supporters across the continent look forward to seeing who will emerge as the leading performers of the year.
For the players involved, winning a CAF Award represents significant recognition at both continental and international level. Previous winners have gone on to establish themselves among the most respected footballers in Africa and around the world.
The awards also provide an important platform for recognising the contribution of women to African football, with the women’s categories continuing to attract growing attention.
CAF has in recent years placed greater emphasis on the development of women’s football, and the annual awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the players and coaches driving that progress.
With Lagos confirmed as the venue, preparations are expected to intensify ahead of December 7.
The ceremony is likely to attract extensive media coverage and will serve as a meeting point for key stakeholders in African football.
Football fans across Africa will now await the announcement of the nominees and the eventual winners as CAF prepares to celebrate the continent’s outstanding performers.
The 2026 CAF Awards promise to be a major occasion on the African football calendar, bringing together talent, history and achievement in one of the continent’s most important football celebrations.
All eyes will be on Lagos on December 7 as CAF honours another generation of African football stars and celebrates the individuals who have helped shape the game throughout 2026.
