Al Ahly handed Confederation Cup last-32 start as Egyptian rivals begin in preliminary rounds

Al Ahly will avoid the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup and enter the competition at the last-32 stage, while Zamalek, Pyramids FC and ZED FC are set to begin their continental campaigns earlier.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced the dates for the draws for the 2026-27 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

According to information obtained by FilGoal.com, Zamalek and Pyramids FC will participate in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

ZED FC will also begin their campaign in the first preliminary round, but in the CAF Confederation Cup. Al Ahly, meanwhile, will enter the Confederation Cup at the last-32 stage and will not be involved in the competition’s opening qualifying round.

Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance and RS Berkane will be exempt from the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. The three clubs, who have the highest rankings among the teams involved at that stage, will start their campaigns in the second preliminary round.

The first preliminary-round matches are scheduled to take place in September.

First legs are due to be played on 4, 5 and 6 September, with the return fixtures scheduled for 11, 12 and 13 September.

The second preliminary round will follow in October. First-leg matches are set for 16, 17 and 18 October, while the second legs will take place on 23, 24 and 25 October.

The group stages of both the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup are expected to begin in November.

The draw announcement sets out the early route into both of Africa’s main club competitions for the 2026-27 season. Zamalek and Pyramids FC face a Champions League qualifying campaign from the first preliminary round, while ZED FC will have to negotiate the opening stage of the Confederation Cup.

Al Ahly’s entry at the last-32 stage means they will not play in September’s first preliminary-round fixtures. Their campaign will begin later in the competition, while the clubs involved in the opening round will play over two legs on the dates set by Caf.

The information was reported on Sunday, 2 August 2026, by Mohamed Abdel Azim.