From the Cairo draw to the round of 32: Unpacking Al Ahly’s 2026/27 Confederation Cup path

Al Ahly drawn against Mogadishu City or Kitara FC in CAF Confederation Cup

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From the Cairo draw to the round of 32: Unpacking Al Ahly’s 2026/27 Confederation Cup path

Al Ahly will begin their 2026 /27 CAF Confederation Cup campaign in the round of 32 against the winner of the tie between Somalia's Mogadishu City & Uganda's Kitara FC.

Cairo draw and first-round bye

The Confederation of African Football CAF conducted the preliminary round draw for the 2026 /27 continental competition in Cairo on Thursday afternoon. Courtesy of their high ranking in CAF's club standings, Al Ahly were exempted from competing in the first preliminary round (round of 64).

Several other prominent continental sides also received byes to the round of 32 including Egyptian rivals Zamalek, Moroccan clubs Raja CA and AS FAR, Algerian outfits USM Alger and CR Belouizdad alongside Maniema Union of DR Congo, Dynamos of Zimbabwe and Tanzania's Azam FC.

Fixture dates and path to the group stage

Mogadishu City & Kitara FC will face off in the round of 64 in September to determine who advances to face the Egyptian champions. CAF has set the first leg for 4, 5 or 6 September with the second leg taking place on 11, 12 or 13 September.

Al Ahly will then launch their continental campaign in October playing the away fixture first:

First Leg (Away): 16, 17 or 18 October 2026
Second Leg (Home in Egypt): 23, 24 or 25 October 2026

The winner on aggregate over the two legs will secure a place in the lucrative group stage of the tournament.

Analytical view: The strategic advantage of the opening bye

Receiving a bye in the opening round offers Al Ahly valuable scheduling flexibility during a congested early season calendar. Facing either Mogadishu City or Kitara presents a favorable matchup on paper for the Cairo heavyweights to reach the group stage.

However, the coaching staff will treat the fixture with caution knowing that both potential opponents will view a matchup against Africa's most successful club as a defining moment in their history.

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Khaled Hegazy |

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