CAF Awards 2026: Morocco favored in a highly debatable shortlist for national team of the year

CAF’s nominees for African men’s national team of the year are the continent’s ten 2026 World Cup representatives: Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia. Tunisia’s inclusion is questioned after three World Cup defeats, including losses of 5-1 to Sweden, 4-0 to Japan and 3-1 to the Netherlands. Nigeria, which reached the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and won bronze, was left out, apparently because the shortlist prioritizes World Cup qualification. Morocco is the favorite after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals, eliminating the Netherlands and holding Brazil at bay.