African club football is set for its biggest season yet as a record-breaking 120 clubs from across the continent gear up for the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
The unprecedented participation includes 62 teams in the Champions League and 58 in the Confederation Cup, marking the largest combined entry in the history of CAF’s interclub competitions.
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CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has confirmed a major financial boost for clubs, with preliminary round participants now receiving USD 100,000 – up from USD 50,000 – to help cover logistical expenses.
The move is designed to encourage broader participation and reflects the growing competitiveness of African club football.
The draws for both competitions take place Saturday, 09 August 2025, at Azam Media Studios in Dar es Salaam, starting at 13h00 local time (10h00 GMT). The event will be broadcast live on CAF’s YouTube channel and partner networks worldwide.
CAF Champions League 2025/26
The new campaign features a glittering line-up of former champions, modern powerhouses, and ambitious debutants. Egypt’s Al Ahly, the most successful club in the competition’s history, return alongside defending champions Pyramids FC. Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas and Stade Abidjan, Algeria’s JS Kabylie, Morocco’s ASFAR and RS Berkane, and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates add further pedigree.
The preliminary round begins 19–21 September 2025 (first leg) and 26–28 September (second leg). Winners progress to the second preliminary round on 17–19 October and 24–26 October. The group stage kicks off 21 November 2025, with the knockout phase starting 13 March 2026.
Champions League Preliminary Round Pots:
Pot 1: Aigle Noir FC (BUR), ASAS/Djibouti Telecom (DJI), Insurance Company (ETH), Kenya Police FC (KEN), APR FC (RWA), Mogadishu City Club (SOM), Jamus FC Juba (SSD), Mlandege FC (ZAN)
Pot 2: Dadjè FC (BEN), Rahimo FC (BFA), Colombe Sportive (CMR), AS Tempête (CAF/RCA), Fundación Bata (EQG), AS Mangasport (GAB), Bibiani Gold Stars FC (GHA), FC Fassell (LBR), Libya 1 & 2 (LBY), Forces Armées (NIG), East End Lions (SLE), Real de Banjul (GAM), ASCK (TGO)
Pot 3: Wiliete SC (ANG), Gaborone United SC (BOT), US Zilimadjou (COM), AC Léopards (CGO), RD Congo 1 & 2 (RDC), Nsingizini Hotspurs (ESW), Lioli FC (LES), Elgeco Plus (MAD), Silver Strikers FC (MLW), Cercle de Joachim (MAU), African Stars (NAM), Remo Stars (NGR), Côte d’Or (SEY), Power Dynamos (ZAM), Simba Bhora FC (ZIM)
Pot 4: Horoya AC (GUI), FC Nouadhibou (MTN), ASC Jaraaf (SEN), US Monastir (TUN)
Pot 5: ASFAR (MAR), MC Alger (ALG), JS Kabylie (ALG), Stade Malien (MLI)
Pot 6: Merreikh (SUD), Stade d’Abidjan (CIV)
Pot 7: ASEC Mimosas (CIV), Orlando Pirates (RSA), Atlético Petróleos de Luanda (ANG), Rivers United (NGR)
CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26
A record 58 clubs will contest this season’s Confederation Cup, with defending champions RS Berkane looking to retain their title against a strong field that includes Egyptian giants Zamalek, Algeria’s USM Alger, Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, and South Africa’s SuperSport United.
The competition follows the same schedule as the Champions League, with preliminary rounds in September and October, the group stage starting 21 November 2025, and the knockout phase commencing 13 March 2026.
Confederation Cup Preliminary Round Pots:
Pot 1: AS Kigali (RWA), LLB Académic (BDI), AS Port (DJI), Singida Fountain Gate (TAN), Somali Police FC (SOM), Kator FC (SSD), JKU FC (ZAN)
Pot 2: Espoir FC (BEN), Majestic SC (BFA), Racing Club de Bafoussam (CMR), Olympic Real de Bangui (CAF/RCA), Cano Sport (EQG), Missile FC (GAB), Nations FC (GHA), FC Kallon (SLE), Hafia FC (GUI), ASCK (TGO)
Pot 3: Sagrada Esperança (ANG), Orapa United (BOT), Djabal Club (COM), CARA Brazzaville (CGO), DCMP (RDC), Mbabane Swallows (ESW), Matlama FC (LES), Fosa Juniors (MAD), Mighty Wanderers (MLW), Curepipe Starlight (MAU), Blue Waters FC (NAM), Kwara United (NGR), La Passe FC (SEY), Red Arrows (ZAM), GreenFuel FC (ZIM)
Pot 4: Stade Tunisien (TUN), AS Vita Club Mokanda (CGO), AS SONIDEP (NIG), Académie SOAR (GUI)
Pot 5: USM Alger (ALG), CS Sfaxien (TUN), Abia Warriors (NGR), SuperSport United (RSA)
Pot 6: Club Africain (TUN), Hearts of Oak (GHA)
Pot 7: Zamalek (EGY), RS Berkane (MAR), Young Africans (TAN), Al Merrikh El Fasher (SUD)
With the pots set and financial incentives at a record high, the 2025/26 CAF Interclub season promises unmatched drama, fierce rivalries, and moments that will define African football history.
From the preliminary rounds in September to the finals in May 2026, the continent’s best will battle for glory, prestige, and a place in the annals of the game.
