The line-up for the 2026-27 CAF Champions League is gradually becoming clearer following the conclusion of the latest edition of Africa’s premier club competition, with several major teams already securing qualification while the Moroccan title race remains unresolved.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC ended the 2025-26 campaign as continental champions after defeating Raja Casablanca 2-1 on aggregate across two legs.
Attention has now shifted toward the upcoming tournament, which is expected to begin in mid-September with the preliminary round of 64.
According to the preliminary schedule released by the Confederation of African Football, the round of 32 will take place in October before the group stage runs from December 2026 until March 2027.
The knockout phase is set to follow in April and May 2027, with the final scheduled for the end of May next year.
Among the most notable clubs already qualified are Egyptian champions Zamalek SC and runners-up Pyramids FC.
Tunisia will be represented by league winners Club Africain and runners-up Espérance Sportive de Tunis, while MC Alger secured qualification after winning the Algerian league title.
Several other prominent clubs from across the continent have also confirmed their participation in the competition.
From Angola, both Petro de Luanda and Wiliete de Benguela have qualified, while South Africa will once again be represented by defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates FC.
Elsewhere, Zambia’s Power Dynamos, Guinea’s Horoya AC, Ivory Coast duo ASEC Mimosas and San Pedro, Nigeria’s Rivers United and Rangers International, and Mauritanian side Nouadhibou are among the confirmed participants.
The competition will also feature clubs from several emerging football nations, including Eagle Noir of Burundi, Rahimo from Burkina Faso, Foullah Edifice of Chad, Mighty Wanderers of Malawi, União de Songo of Mozambique, Foresters from Seychelles, Scotland FC of Zimbabwe and Al-Merreikh Bentiu from South Sudan.
Additional qualifiers include Gaborone United of Botswana, La Cure Waves from Mauritius, African Stars of Namibia, Liqapatho of Lesotho, APR FC, Medeama SC, Nsengizini Hotspurs of Eswatini and Watanga FC from Liberia.
Despite the growing list of confirmed clubs, some of the continent’s most important qualification races remain undecided.
Particular attention is focused on Morocco, where the domestic title battle is still open after 21 rounds of league action.
Five clubs remain in contention for the championship and the accompanying CAF Champions League qualification places: Raja Casablanca, Maghreb de Fès, AS FAR, Wydad AC and RS Berkane.
The outcome of that race is expected to complete the final shape of next season’s continental tournament and determine which Moroccan clubs will join the rest of Africa’s elite in the battle for the CAF Champions League crown.
With major clubs from across the continent already preparing for the new campaign, another highly competitive edition of African club football appears set to begin later this year.
