CAF maintains Champions League and Confederation Cup format as registration deadline shifted

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that there will be no changes to the format of its two flagship club competitions—the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup—for the upcoming season.

According to the governing body, the structure of both tournaments will remain unchanged, ensuring continuity in how clubs across the continent compete at the highest level.

The 12 highest-ranked member associations will continue to be allocated two representatives each in both competitions, preserving the current balance of participation among Africa’s elite football nations.

In a related administrative adjustment, CAF has also revised the initial registration deadline for participating clubs. The deadline, originally set for June 30, has now been extended to July 31.

The decision comes in response to scheduling considerations linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with several national associations expected to delay confirming their representatives as domestic seasons and international commitments overlap.

CAF officials believe the extension will give member associations and clubs additional flexibility to finalise their entries without compromising the integrity or planning of the continental competitions.

The decision is expected to provide stability ahead of a busy football calendar, while also accommodating the broader international commitments affecting African teams and players in the buildup to the global tournament.