Al Ahly miss out on CAF Champions League for first time in 23 years

Egyptian giants Al Ahly will not feature in the CAF Champions League next season after failing to qualify for the first time in 23 years, marking a rare and significant setback for Africa’s most successful club.

The Cairo giants concluded the 2025–2026 Egyptian Premier League season in third place with 53 points, behind rivals Zamalek SC and Pyramids FC, who secured the two available Champions League qualification slots.

As a result, Al Ahly will not feature in Africa’s premier club competition via their domestic league finish, ending a remarkable two-decade-long run of near-constant participation at the top level of continental football.

This development represents one of the most surprising shifts in the modern era of African club football, given Al Ahly’s long-standing dominance both domestically and continentally. The club has built its reputation on consistent qualification and success in the CAF Champions League, making this season’s outcome a major talking point across the football landscape.

While Al Ahly have previously participated in the CAF Confederation Cup, those appearances came under different circumstances, typically after early exits from the Champions League rather than as a result of league positioning. Their last prolonged absence from Champions League qualification via the league dates back more than two decades.

The 2025–2026 campaign therefore marks a rare interruption in a sustained era of dominance, underlining the increased competitiveness of the Egyptian Premier League in recent seasons, with clubs like Zamalek and Pyramids FC strengthening their positions at the top end of the table.

Zamalek’s return to the Champions League after a period of absence further highlights the shifting dynamics in Egyptian football, as traditional hierarchies continue to evolve.

For Al Ahly, attention now turns to regrouping and reassessing ahead of the new season, with the club expected to focus on restoring its place among Africa’s elite in future campaigns.