Bypassing the trap: CAF ranking grants Al Ahly and continent's heavyweights safe passage

The Confederation of African Football will officially launch the 2026 /27 club season this Thursday with the preliminary round draws for both the Champions League & Confederation Cup at its Cairo headquarters.

Read Also: CAF interclub competitions: preliminary draw set for August 6 in Cairo

Schedule & Broadcasting

The official ceremonies will commence on Thursday afternoon. The CAF Confederation Cup draw will begin at 11:00 GMT, followed immediately by the CAF Champions League draw at 12:00 GMT.

Fans and participating clubs across the continent will be able to follow the proceedings live as the governing body has confirmed the event will be broadcast globally on its official digital platform, CAF TV.

Exempted clubs and Egyptian representatives

Due to their high continental rankings, several heavyweights will be spared from the earliest qualifying fixtures. Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance Sportive de Tunis and RS Berkane will be granted a bye through the first preliminary round of the Champions League.

In the Confederation Cup, reigning titleholders USM Alger, AS FAR, and Egyptian giants Al Ahly will also receive official exemptions from the opening round.

Al Ahly will compete in the secondary continental tournament after finishing third domestically, representing Egypt alongside cup runners up ZED FC. In the premier competition, Egyptian champions Zamalek will participate alongside league runners up Pyramids FC.

Prize money and financial support

The upcoming season maintains the lucrative financial rewards introduced during recent campaigns. The eventual Champions League winners will secure a $6 million grand prize while the Confederation Cup champions will earn $4 million.

To further support participating clubs and ease the financial burden of continental travel, the confederation has guaranteed a $100,000 solidarity grant for every team eliminated during the preliminary stages.

What happens next?

Once the matchups are confirmed on Thursday, clubs will begin logistical preparations for the first leg fixtures of the preliminary rounds which are scheduled to kick off in early September.

These opening ties will provide ambitious emerging teams with their first opportunity to challenge established continental giants on the road to the group stages.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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Al Ahly SC