Zamalek secure CAF licence as club hits back at critics over African spot

Zamalek have confirmed they have officially obtained their Confederation of African Football (CAF) club licence for next season’s CAF Champions League, describing the approval as a direct response to those who doubted the club’s eligibility.

The Cairo side announced the development on their official channels, saying: “الحصول على الرخصة الافريقية جاء ردا عمليا على كل المشككين، والنادي التزم الصمت طوال الفترة الماضية وفضل العمل بهدوء بعيدا عن الجدل حتى تم الانتهاء من جميع الاجراءات والتاكد من سلامة موقف النادي، ويوكد مجلس الادارة ان الافعال هي الاهم وليست الاقوال”.

Zamalek stressed that they had completed all the procedural steps required to secure the African licence and that CAF had now confirmed their compliance for participation in continental club competitions next season.

Licence granted after resolving FIFA-related cases

According to the club, the green light from CAF followed the resolution of every case related to the African licensing process that had been pending before FIFA.

Zamalek said they chose not to engage in public debate while questions were raised about their status, instead working internally to close out all outstanding issues and guarantee their legal and financial position met CAF’s criteria.

The Egyptian Football Association had already named the clubs representing Egypt in African competitions for the 2026-27 season, with Zamalek among the teams allocated to the CAF Champions League.

Zamalek will line up in Africa’s premier club tournament alongside Pyramids, who have been confirmed for the Champions League for a fourth consecutive season. Pyramids won the competition once, in the season before last.

The confirmation that Zamalek’s licence has been approved removes any uncertainty over their ability to take up that Champions League slot, following domestic qualification.

Al Ahly and ZED set for Confederation Cup

While Zamalek and Pyramids head into the Champions League, Al Ahly and ZED will represent Egypt in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2026-27.

Al Ahly move into the Confederation Cup after finishing third in the Egyptian Premier League last season. This will be their first appearance in the tournament since the 2014-15 campaign, having previously lifted the trophy in 2013-14.

ZED, meanwhile, are preparing for their first-ever appearance in African competition. The club earned their place in the Confederation Cup as runners-up in last season’s Egypt Cup, where they finished second to Pyramids in the final.

The confirmations mean Egypt’s four continental representatives for 2026-27 are now fully licensed and cleared: Zamalek and Pyramids in the CAF Champions League, with Al Ahly and ZED competing in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Zamalek’s hierarchy have framed the completion of the licensing process as proof of the club’s off-field stability, insisting their actions and compliance with CAF and FIFA regulations provide the definitive answer to any previous doubts over their African participation.