CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27: 56 clubs grouped into three levels ahead of preliminary draw

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the club levels for the preliminary draw of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, with 56 teams set to compete for places in the group stage of Africa’s second-tier club competition.

CAF has divided the participating clubs into three levels based on their continental rankings and geographical considerations ahead of the preliminary rounds.

Eight of Africa’s highest-ranked clubs have been placed in Level 1 and will be exempted from the opening preliminary round. The list includes Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC, Tanzanian side Azam FC, Algerian club USM Alger and Moroccan outfit AS FAR.

Other clubs receiving byes are CR Belouizdad, Raja CA, AS Maniema and Kaizer Chiefs.

The second category, Level 2, consists of eight ranked clubs that will enter the preliminary stages. They include Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli, Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars, Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, Mali’s AS Real Bamako, Togo’s ASKO de Kara, Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy, Mozambique’s Associação Black Bulls and Angola’s CD 1º de Agosto.

The remaining 40 clubs have been placed in Level 3 as non-ranked teams, creating a wide representation from across the continent.

The list includes Ghana Premier League side Nations FC, who will make their continental debut after securing qualification, alongside clubs such as Rayon Sports of Rwanda, Tusker FC of Kenya, Shooting Stars SC and El Kanemi Warriors of Nigeria, Diambars FC of Senegal, Red Arrows of Zambia and Hafia FC of Guinea.

Other notable teams in the unranked category include AS Douanes of Mauritania, ES de Zarzis of Tunisia, FC Diarra of Mali, East End Lions of Sierra Leone and ZED FC of Egypt.

CAF’s preliminary rounds will determine which clubs advance to the group stage of the 2026/27 Confederation Cup, where Africa’s top-performing sides will battle for continental honours.

The Confederation Cup remains one of CAF’s premier club competitions, providing clubs from across Africa with the opportunity to compete internationally and earn significant financial rewards.

With 56 teams involved, the preliminary draw is expected to set up a series of regional battles as clubs begin their journey towards lifting the trophy.