CS Sfaxien handed CAF Confederation Cup place as Al Maaloul and Al Mathlouthi lead campaign

CS Sfaxien have been officially cleared to compete in the 2026-27 CAF Confederation Cup after Tunisia’s top-flight committee ratified the club’s continental qualification.

In a statement on Friday, the club confirmed that the First Division Committee of the Tunisian Football Federation had, during a meeting earlier in the day, formally approved CS Sfaxien’s participation in next season’s Confederation Cup.

The Tunisian side will enter the new campaign under the leadership of Ali Maaloul and with the presence of Aymen Mathlouthi, following the federation’s final decision on which domestic clubs will feature in African competitions.

Club boost before new season

The confirmation represents a significant psychological boost for CS Sfaxien ahead of the start of the 2026-27 season, as the club looks to re-establish itself on the continental stage and target a strong run in the Confederation Cup.

Sfaxien are historically one of Tunisia’s prominent performers in African club tournaments, and the club’s hierarchy will view the green light from the federation as an opportunity to restore their standing with a deep campaign in the competition.

Wider North African representation

The upcoming edition of the CAF Confederation Cup will also include Al Ahly, who secured their place in the tournament by finishing third in the Egyptian Premier League, behind champions Zamalek and runners-up Pyramids.

Al Ahly’s entry means one of Africa’s most successful clubs will be present in the second-tier continental competition, adding further profile to the 2026-27 edition.

CAF mulls expansion of club tournaments

Across the continent, clubs and national associations are awaiting the outcome of a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee meeting, which will examine a proposal to expand both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

Egypt has formally submitted a request to CAF calling for an increase in the number of clubs allowed to participate in the two main African club competitions.

In a statement, the Egyptian Football Association explained the potential impact of the proposal, saying: “يمكن ان ترتفع حصة بعض الاتحادات، بحسب معايير التصنيف المعمول بها، الى 3 اندية في دوري ابطال افريقيا، و3 اندية في كاس الكونفدرالية الافريقية، على ان تبدا مشاركة الاندية الاضافية من الادوار التمهيدية”.

According to that statement, the associations that meet CAF’s existing ranking criteria could see their quotas raised to three clubs in the CAF Champions League and three in the CAF Confederation Cup, with the additional teams entering from the preliminary rounds.

For now, CS Sfaxien’s immediate focus will be on preparing for their confirmed return to continental competition, as the club aims to turn administrative approval into on-pitch progress in the Confederation Cup.