The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has scheduled the draws for the group stages of the 2026-27 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup for 28 October, according to sources who spoke to WinWin.
The ceremonies will take place at the Egyptian Football Association’s headquarters in the city of 6th of October, Egypt, with clubs that qualify for the group stages invited to send their team managers.
According to the sources, CAF has also arranged a two-day workshop for the club officials on 29 and 30 October at its headquarters in Cairo. The sessions will follow the draws and form part of the governing body’s preparations for the next stage of its two major club competitions.
The group-stage line-ups will be confirmed after the second-leg matches in the preliminary rounds, which are scheduled to conclude on 25 October.
CAF requests club managers’ details
CAF has asked clubs competing in the second preliminary round of both tournaments to submit the names of their team managers by Saturday, 17 October.
The governing body has informed the clubs that it will cover the flight costs of managers whose teams qualify for the group stages.
The invitation also requires the officials to remain in Egypt for 48 hours to attend the workshop following the draws.
Several Arab clubs remain in contention for places in the group stages, with the outcome of the preliminary-round matches expected to determine which teams progress to the next phase.
Group-stage fixtures and knockout dates
The group stages of both competitions are scheduled to run from November 2026 to January 2027, with the first round of matches set for 27 and 28 November.
The remaining group-stage rounds are scheduled as follows:
- Second round: 4 and 6 December 2026
- Third round: 18 and 19 December 2026
- Fourth round: 8 and 9 January 2027
- Fifth round: 15 and 16 January 2027
- Sixth round: 22 and 23 January 2027
The quarter-final first legs are scheduled for 26, 27 or 28 February 2027, with the return fixtures due to take place on 5, 6 or 7 March.
The semi-final first legs will be played on 9 and 10 April, followed by the second legs on 16 and 17 April.
CAF has not announced specific dates for the two finals but has set a window between 9 and 31 May 2027 for both matches.
The prize money remains unchanged, with the Champions League winners set to receive $6m and the Confederation Cup champions earning $4m.
CAF outlines player registration rules
CAF has also established registration deadlines for clubs preparing for the group stages and subsequent rounds.
The initial registration window for players eligible to feature in the group stages runs from 1 to 31 October.
A further registration period, covering players who may participate in the remainder of the group stages and the knockout rounds, will run from 1 to 31 January 2027.
Clubs must register any newly added players at least 72 hours before the relevant match to make them eligible to play. For example, a player intended to feature in a match scheduled for 8 January must be registered by 5 January.
Each club is permitted to register a maximum of 40 players for the season, while teams can name up to nine substitutes on the bench for a match.
Arab clubs prepare for continental competition
A number of clubs from North Africa and other Arab countries are competing for places in the two tournaments.
In the Champions League, Sudan are represented by Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh, while Tunisia’s clubs include Espérance and Club Africain. Egypt’s representatives are Zamalek and Pyramids, while Morocco has Renaissance Berkane and Maghreb Fez.
Algeria’s Mouloudia and JS Saoura are also listed among the competing clubs, alongside Libya’s Al-Suwaihli.
The Confederation Cup also features several Arab sides. Morocco is represented by Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat, while Tunisia has CS Sfaxien and Espérance de Tunis.
Egypt’s clubs in the competition include Al Ahly and Zed, with USM Alger and CR Belouizdad representing Algeria. Libya’s Al-Ahly Tripoli is also among the participating teams.
With the preliminary rounds approaching their conclusion, the 28 October draws will determine the group-stage opponents for the clubs that secure qualification, marking the next step in the race for Africa’s two major club titles.
