CAF set to hold 2026/27 interclub preliminary round draw in early August

The draw for the first and second preliminary rounds of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup is expected to take place during the first week of August, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) anticipated to announce the official date and venue in the coming days.

The eagerly awaited draw will officially set the stage for another season of continental club football, with champions and cup winners from across Africa preparing to embark on their respective campaigns in CAF’s premier interclub competitions.

However, the final list of participating clubs is yet to be confirmed as several domestic league seasons and FA Cup competitions across the continent are still ongoing.

A number of countries are yet to determine their representatives for both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, delaying the completion of the final entry list.

The eventual number of clubs entered into the competitions will play a crucial role in shaping the preliminary round fixtures. Specifically, it will determine how many clubs receive exemptions from the first preliminary round and progress directly to the second stage of qualifying.

Traditionally, clubs with superior performances in CAF competitions over recent seasons, based on the CAF five-year ranking system, are among those considered for byes when the number of participating teams requires exemptions.

During the previous edition, a limited number of clubs were granted automatic passage to the second preliminary round due to their continental pedigree and ranking.

With African football heavyweights expected to feature once again, the forthcoming draw is expected to attract significant attention from clubs and supporters alike as teams begin plotting their route to the lucrative group stages.

CAF is expected to release further details on the draw, including the host city and exact schedule, in the near future.