Egyptian football's proudest names learned their continental fate on Wednesday 28 October, when the draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 placed five-time African champions Zamalek in a demanding Group B alongside Algeria's MC Alger, Tunisia's Club Africain and Tanzania's Young Africans.
The ceremony, held at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo, once again confirmed what the world of African football knows well: the road to continental glory passes through Egypt. According to Al-Ahram Weekly, which reported the draw in detail, Zamalek open their campaign at home to Club Africain before travelling to face MC Alger, then welcoming Young Africans to Cairo.
Zamalek and the pursuit of a sixth crown
The White Knights carry the weight of a noble history. Five continental titles stand in their trophy cabinet, the last secured in 2002, and a sixth star remains the ambition that drives a club whose white shirt has long symbolized Egyptian resilience on the African stage.
The meetings with MC Alger promise the fiercest theatre of the group. Two former African champions, two North African giants, and a rivalry whose chapters are written in fire. MC Alger lifted their only title in 1976; Zamalek's hunger for a sixth crown, more than two decades in the waiting, gives the duel its edge. History favors the Egyptians on paper, but North African collisions of this kind obey no paper.
Club Africain, champions in 1991 and the first Tunisian club to conquer Africa, complete the trio of heavyweight names. Young Africans of Tanzania, whom Zamalek have beaten three times with one draw in previous meetings, close the group. Zamalek earned their place by defeating Rwanda's APR FC in the round of 32.
Pyramids FC fly the Egyptian flag in Group D
Egypt's second representative in the Champions League carries an even fresher shine. Pyramids FC, continental champions in 2025, were drawn in Group D against Sudan's Al Hilal Omdurman, Guinea's Horoya AC and Morocco's MAS de Fès.
Pyramids open at home to Maghreb Fez, then visit Horoya before facing Al Hilal in Cairo. The Sudanese side are a familiar face in the latter stages of African interclub football, and the encounter carries its own emotional weight for Egyptian fans who have long shared Nile bonds with Sudanese football. Pyramids booked their ticket by beating South Sudan's Merreikh Bentiu.
What the other groups hold
Group A gathers four-time champions Espérance Sportive de Tunis with Angola's Petro Atlético, Wiliete SC and Mauritania's FC Nouadhibou. Wiliete earned their place by upsetting title holders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the second preliminary round, a result that reshaped the tournament's balance.
Group C pairs Morocco's RS Berkane with Tanzania's Simba SC, South Africa's Orlando Pirates and Cameroon's Colombe Sportive. The 16 qualified clubs are divided into four groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the quarter-finals.
Record prize money raises the stakes
The winner of this edition will receive a record $6 million, a 50 percent increase on previous editions, while CAF is providing $100,000 to clubs eliminated in the earlier rounds to assist with travel and logistical expenses. The figures confirm Africa's flagship club competition growing in strength and ambition, a growth Egyptian clubs intend to keep profiting from.
The group stage kicks off on the weekend of 27 to 29 November 2026, with the second round following on 4 to 6 December. The remaining matchdays run between December 2026 and January 2027, and the final round on 22 to 24 January 2027 will confirm the eight quarter-finalists.
Ahly and Raja renew an old acquaintance in the Confederation Cup
In the second-tier TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, the draw produced a group worthy of a final itself. Egyptian giants Ahly were placed alongside Morocco's Raja Casablanca in Group A, with ASKO Kara of Togo and Primeiro Agosto of Angola completing the quartet.
Ahly and Raja first met in the CAF Champions League in 1999, and their history includes a 3-3 draw in Cairo in 2002 and further group stage clashes in 2005. More recently, Ahly eliminated Raja in the 2022 and 2023 Champions League quarter-finals, winning 2-1 on aggregate in 2022 and taking a 2-0 first-leg lead before a goalless return in 2023.
Ahly, Confederation Cup champions in 2014, head into the group stage in commanding form after a 4-0 victory over Uganda's Kitara at Cairo International Stadium completed a 6-1 aggregate rout. They open at home to Primeiro de Agosto, face ASKO Kara away, then meet Raja at home before the return in Casablanca, a trip to Angola and a closing fixture in Cairo against ASKO Kara.
The wider Confederation Cup picture
Morocco's Royal Armed Forces headline Group B with Tanzania's Azam FC, Libya's Al Ahly Tripoli and Durban City of South Africa. Group C still awaits one confirmed participant, with Algeria's CR Belouizdad, AS Douanes of Mauritania or Guinea's Hafia set to join DR Congo's Maniema Union, Singida Black Stars of Tanzania and Zambia's Red Arrows.
Group D offers a North African contest between Algeria's USM Alger and Tunisia's CS Sfaxien, joined by Mozambique's Black Bulls and Real Bamako of Mali. Confederation Cup group matches run on the same dates as the Champions League, with the top two in each group advancing to the quarter-finals in February 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Which teams did Zamalek draw in the Champions League group stage?
Zamalek were drawn in Group B with MC Alger of Algeria, Club Africain of Tunisia and Young Africans of Tanzania, following the draw held in Cairo on 28 October.
When does the Champions League group stage begin?
The first matchday runs from 27 to 29 November 2026, with the final group round scheduled for 22 to 24 January 2027.
How much prize money does the Champions League winner receive?
The winner will collect a record $6 million, a 50 percent increase, while clubs eliminated in earlier rounds receive $100,000 from CAF.
Who did Ahly draw in the Confederation Cup?
Ahly were drawn with Raja Casablanca, ASKO Kara of Togo and Primeiro Agosto of Angola in Group A of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.