Why 2026 CAF Awards ceremony was rescheduled

The countdown to African football's biggest awards night has taken an unexpected turn, with CAF making a last-minute adjustment to its plans for the 2026 ceremony.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rescheduled the 2026 CAF Awards from December 7 to December 2, with European clubs' reluctance to release players cited as the reason behind the change.

According to a CAF official, the governing body decided to move the ceremony after receiving indications that European clubs were unwilling to make their players available for the original date.

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European clubs' concerns prompt CAF decision

The December 7 date reportedly presented a challenge for CAF because several African stars nominated for the awards are based at European clubs.

With clubs reluctant to release their players, CAF opted for December 2 to improve the chances of having the continent's leading footballers present for the ceremony.

The awards will take place at 7:00 pm local time (6:00 pm GMT and 8:00 pm Cairo time) at the Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Arts, popularly known as the National Theatre, in Lagos.

CAF Awards return to Lagos after 12 years

The 2026 ceremony will mark the return of the CAF Awards to Lagos for the first time since 2014.

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A total of 18 individual and collective categories will be recognised, including the Men's and Women's Player of the Year awards, goalkeeper honours, young player prizes, and awards for clubs and national teams.

Voting is ongoing from November 5 to 20, with the winners set to be announced at the ceremony on December 2.