Nigeria will host the 2026 CAF Awards in Lagos on 7 December, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed.
The decision was made after a virtual meeting of the CAF Executive Committee, chaired by president Patrice Motsepe, as the governing body finalised its calendar for the year.
The announcement means Lagos will become the centre of African football’s annual awards celebrations in December, with leading figures from across the continent expected to gather for the ceremony.
The CAF Awards are held to recognise outstanding contributions to African football and honour players, coaches and other important figures whose achievements have stood out during the year.
CAF’s confirmation of Nigeria as host adds another major event to the country’s football calendar and will put Lagos in the spotlight as the continent celebrates its leading football performers.
The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for 7 December, following last year’s event in which Morocco claimed both of the major individual honours.
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi was named among the leading winners at the previous ceremony, while Al Hilal and Morocco player Ghizlane Chebbak also took top honours.
The success of the Moroccan pair at last year’s event underlined the significance of the CAF Awards, which bring together some of the continent’s most prominent football personalities.
The ceremony is designed not only to celebrate individual achievement but also to acknowledge the wider contribution of those involved in African football.
Players and coaches are among those recognised, while other personalities who have played an important role in the development and success of the sport across the continent can also receive awards.
With Lagos confirmed as the host city, attention will now turn towards December and what promises to be a major gathering for African football.
The event will provide an opportunity for CAF to celebrate achievements from across the continent during 2026, while bringing many of the sport’s best-known names together in Nigeria.
Football supporters across Africa are expected to follow the ceremony closely as the continent’s football governing body honours those who have made significant contributions during the year.
The choice of Lagos gives Nigeria the opportunity to stage the prestigious ceremony and places the city at the heart of African football for the occasion.
CAF’s Executive Committee reached the decision during its virtual meeting on Friday, 2 October 2026, with Motsepe presiding over proceedings.
The confirmation settles the location and date of this year’s awards and allows preparations for the December ceremony to move forward.
As the countdown to 7 December begins, Lagos is set to welcome leading figures from African football for an evening dedicated to recognising excellence and achievement across the continent.
The 2026 CAF Awards will therefore provide the latest occasion for CAF to celebrate the players, coaches and other figures whose work and performances have helped shape African football over the course of the year.
