CAF Confederation Cup 2026-2027: the clubs already qualified

USM Alger will put its title on the line in an edition marked by Al Ahly's arrival and Raja's return

Africa 25 July 2026 at 13:45

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CAF Confederation Cup 2026-2027: the clubs already qualified

The stage is set ahead of the September preliminary rounds. USMA will defend its crown against some of the continent's heavyweights.

The lineup is nothing short of spectacular. After clinching the title in a nerve-wracking final against Zamalek, USM Alger will put its championship on the line in the CAF Confederation Cup 2026-2027. The Red and Black will line up alongside the likes of Al Ahly, Raja Casablanca, Kaizer Chiefs, and CS Sfaxien.

But a word of caution: these clubs have only secured a ticket to the preliminary rounds. They are not yet qualified for the group stage, which is reserved for the sixteen teams that survive the qualifiers.

Also read: Women's AFCON: countries that have never lifted the trophy

The twelve countries allowed two representatives

The twelve nations best ranked in CAF's five-year coefficient are permitted to enter two clubs.

Egypt: Al Ahly and Ceramica Cleopatra
Morocco: Raja Casablanca and the future Throne Cup winner
Algeria: USM Alger and CR Belouizdad
South Africa: Kaizer Chiefs and Durban City
Tanzania: Azam FC and Singida Black Stars
Tunisia: CS Sfaxien and ES Zarzis
Angola: Primeiro de Agosto and Kabuscorp
DR Congo: Maniema Union and DC Virunga
Sudan: Hilal Al-Sahil and Al Ahly Wad Madani
Ivory Coast: AFAD Djékanou and FC Mouna
Mali: AS Real Bamako and FC Diarra
Nigeria: Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors

Countries represented by a single club

Associations ranked below the top twelve only get one spot. Several representatives are already confirmed:

Libya: Al-Nasr Benghazi
Zambia: Red Arrows
Ghana: Nations FC
Guinea: Hafia FC
Botswana: Jwaneng Galaxy
Mauritania: AS Douanes
Senegal: USC Saint-Louis
Kenya: Tusker FC
Togo: AS Kozah
Uganda: Kitara FC
Mozambique: Black Bulls
Eswatini: Green Mamba
Niger: US Gendarmerie Nationale
Benin: Coton FC
Burkina Faso: Vitesse FC
Burundi: Rukinzo FC
Cape Verde: CS Mindelense
Comoros: Atomic Ngomé
Eritrea: Red Sea FC
Ethiopia: Negele Arsi FC
Gabon: ASS Mandji
Réunion: SS Jeanne d’Arc
Lesotho: Lifofane FC
Liberia: Black Man Warrior
Malawi: Silver Strikers
Mauritius: Cercle de Joachim
Namibia: University of Namibia FC
Rwanda: Rayon Sports
Seychelles: Bazar Brothers
Somalia: Mogadishu City Club
Chad: AS PSI
South Sudan: Jamus FC
Zanzibar: KMKM SC
Zimbabwe: Dynamos FC

A still provisional list

Several spots remain to be filled, notably in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Sierra Leone. CAF will also have to officially validate the entries.

The first preliminary round will be played from September 4 to 6, with the return legs from September 11 to 13. According to the interclub competition calendar, the group stage will kick off at the end of November.

This edition could well take on the feel of a Champions League alternative. Al Ahly, twelve-time African champions, return to a competition they last won in 2014. With Egyptian experience, Raja's ambitions, and USMA's status, the battle for the four million dollars promised to the winner is set to be fiercely contested.