Zamalek still blocked from new signings despite resolving FIFA cases

Zamalek remain unable to register new players for next season despite announcing that they have settled all outstanding cases required to secure an African club licence for the CAF Champions League.

The Cairo club confirmed it had cleared the issues necessary to obtain its continental licence for the coming campaign, having reduced the number of active cases related to that process from 20 over the past month. That clearance allows Zamalek to participate in African competition but does not lift their separate transfer registration ban.

The continuing block on new signings stems from a disciplinary sanction imposed over the case of Moroccan player Salah Eddine Morsli, which has resulted in the club being banned from registering players for two transfer windows.

Zamalek submitted an urgent appeal against that decision, but the request for provisional relief was rejected. As things stand, they cannot bring in any reinforcements for the squad in the current summer window.

The club is now waiting for the Court of Arbitration for Sport to set a new hearing date in the Morsli case. The timing of that hearing, and any subsequent ruling, is likely to determine whether Zamalek will be able to strengthen their squad before their return to the Champions League.

If the sanction is reduced before January 2027 from a two-window ban to a single transfer-window ban, Zamalek would regain the right to register new signings in the winter 2027 window. Until then, however, the embargo remains in force regardless of the club’s progress in closing other FIFA-related files.

Squad changes without incoming deals

While the registration ban prevents Zamalek from adding players, there has still been movement out of the squad this summer.

Defender Hossam Abdelmaguid has departed for Bulgarian side Ludogorets in a deal worth €1.5m, while midfielder Ahmed Hamdi has joined Al Ittihad Alexandria on a free transfer.

In addition, the club has recently terminated the contract of youth-team player Hazem Osama, further reducing their options without the possibility of immediate replacement.

Coaching situation and African return

On the technical side, Serbian coach Vuk Rasovic is currently the leading candidate to succeed Moatamed Gamal as Zamalek head coach for next season, with the club working towards confirming its bench ahead of its Champions League campaign.

Zamalek will enter the CAF Champions League as Egyptian Premier League champions, returning to Africa’s elite club competition after a three-year absence.

During that spell away from the Champions League, the White Knights competed in the CAF Confederation Cup, winning the title in 2024 and reaching the final again in 2026, which they lost.

Their challenge now is to navigate a Champions League campaign while operating under a transfer registration ban that limits their ability to reshape the squad, despite having resolved the licensing issues that once threatened their participation.