Black Stars Nominated for 2026 CAF Men’s National Team of the Year Award

Ghana’s senior men’s national football team, the Black Stars, have been nominated for the Men’s National Team of the Year award at the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.

The nomination, announced by CAF on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, places Ghana among 10 African national teams shortlisted for the prestigious continental football honour.

The Black Stars will compete against Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia for the award.

The recognition follows Ghana’s return to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the team’s first progression beyond the group stage since the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Black Stars’ World Cup campaign earns recognition

Ghana’s nomination comes after an encouraging campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Black Stars, under head coach Carlos Queiroz, secured a place in the Round of 32 after competing in Group L.

The team opened its campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama before holding England to a goalless draw. Ghana subsequently suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia but advanced to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.

Their journey at the tournament ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.

Despite the elimination, Ghana’s return to the knockout phase represented a significant achievement for the four-time African champions, who had endured disappointing group-stage exits at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups.

The CAF nomination is therefore viewed as recognition of the team’s progress on the international stage during the year under review.

Ghana faces strong competition

The Black Stars will face stiff competition from some of Africa’s most accomplished national teams.

Morocco, which reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is among the leading contenders. Egypt also progressed to the Round of 16, while several other nominees demonstrated competitive performances at the global tournament.

Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, DR Congo, South Africa, Cabo Verde and Tunisia have also earned places on the shortlist.

The nominations reflect the growing competitiveness of African football, particularly following the continent’s expanded representation at the 2026 World Cup.

Ghana’s inclusion places the country among the national teams recognised by CAF for their achievements during the award period.

A boost for Ghanaian football

The nomination provides a morale boost for Ghanaian football amid efforts to restore the Black Stars to their former prominence on the African continent.

The national team, which has won the Africa Cup of Nations four times, continues to face expectations from supporters to deliver improved performances in major competitions.

The CAF Awards recognition could serve as encouragement for the technical team, players and Ghana Football Association as they work towards strengthening the team’s competitiveness.

However, the nomination also comes at a challenging period, with Ghana facing difficulties in its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Black Stars are expected to turn their attention to upcoming qualifying fixtures against Somalia as they seek to improve their standing and rebuild confidence among supporters.

When will the winner be announced?

The winner of the Men’s National Team of the Year award will be announced at the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony scheduled for December 7, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.

The annual ceremony celebrates outstanding achievements in African football, with awards recognising players, coaches, national teams and other key contributors to the sport.

For Ghana, the nomination represents an opportunity to secure continental recognition and reinforce the Black Stars’ status among Africa’s leading football nations.

Whether the team can convert the nomination into a prestigious award will be determined at the ceremony.