The 2026-27 CAF Confederation Cup begins its qualification process on Thursday, 6 August, when the draw for the first two preliminary rounds takes place.
This season’s competition is set to feature an unusually strong group of clubs, including several African heavyweights more accustomed to competing in the continent’s premier tournament, the CAF Champions League.
Al Ahly are the most prominent name in the field. The Cairo club are the most successful side in CAF Champions League history, having won the title 12 times, but their third-place finish in the Egyptian league means they will instead compete in the Confederation Cup.
Al Ahly have already lifted the trophy once. They won the competition in 2014 after being transferred into it following an early Champions League exit.
Another major presence will be AS FAR Rabat. The Moroccan side were beaten finalists in last season’s CAF Champions League, but missed out on qualification for this year’s edition of the competition after their Botola campaign.
Their inclusion adds considerable quality to the Confederation Cup, while Morocco will also be represented by Raja Casablanca. Raja have won the tournament twice, in 2018 and 2021.
In Algeria, holders USM Alger will begin their title defence and will be targeting a third triumph after their victories in 2023 and 2026. CR Belouizdad, who reached the semi-finals last season, are the country’s other representatives and will be aiming to progress to the last four again.
The field also includes AS Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They reached the quarter-finals in the previous campaign and will be among the sides hoping to challenge the better-established clubs.
However, most of the leading contenders are not expected to enter the competition in the opening round. According to the latest reports, eight teams will receive byes and join the tournament in the second preliminary round.
Those clubs are Al Ahly, USM Alger, AS FAR Rabat, CR Belouizdad, Raja Casablanca, AS Maniema Union, AS Otoho of Congo and Tanzania’s Azam FC.
The exemptions are intended to protect the highest-ranked teams according to the CAF club coefficient. They will avoid an initial qualifying tie, although their arrival in the second round is expected to produce a particularly demanding stage of the tournament.
The winners of that final qualifying phase will make up the 16-team group-stage line-up.
The concentration of historically successful clubs in the preliminary rounds means the 2026-27 CAF Confederation Cup is expected to be one of the most open and competitive editions yet.
The eventual winners will receive a prize of $4m, while every participating club is guaranteed at least $100,000.
