CAF confirms 28 October draw for 2026/27 Champions League and Confederation Cup

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will hold the Group Stage Draw for the 2026/27 Champions League and Confederation Cup at the Egypt Football Association (EFA) Headquarters in Cairo on Wednesday, 28 October.

The draw will begin at 1pm South African time and will decide the group-stage opponents for the 16 clubs remaining in each of Africa’s two leading continental competitions.

CAF said the event would “determine the Group Stage opponents for the 16 qualified clubs in each of Africa’s two premier continental club competitions, setting the stage for the next phase of the race for African football’s most prestigious club honours”.

The 16 qualified teams in each competition will be split into four groups of four. The group stage is scheduled to begin in November 2026.

The ceremony will be shown live on CAF’s official digital platforms, including CAF TV.

South Africa’s reigning league champions Orlando Pirates are among the teams through to the Champions League group stage and will be the country’s only representative in Africa’s premier club competition.

Their qualification follows the unexpected elimination of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who were knocked out by Angolan club Wiliete on the away goals rule over the weekend.

In the Champions League seeding, Rulani Mokwena’s Pyramids have been placed in Pot 1 alongside the other leading teams.

Steve Barker’s Simba will be in Pot 2, where they will be joined by Young Africans. Young Africans recently dismissed Manqoba Mngqithi.

CAF also confirmed that the draw will establish the next stage of the competition for both tournaments, with the successful clubs continuing their pursuit of Africa’s major continental club honours.