Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the 16 clubs that have qualified for the 2025/26 Confederation Cup group stage, with the official draw scheduled for November 2025.
The draw will feature the 16 winners from the second qualifying round, who will be divided into four groups of four.
The teams have been seeded based on their performance in CAF competitions over the last five seasons, with their CAF 5-year ranking points determining the pots.
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Each group will contain one team from Pot 1, Pot 2, and Pot 3, with the final slots filled by clubs from Pot 4. The group stage matches will run from 21 November 2025 to 23 May 2026.
Confirmed Group Stage Teams (16)
Azam FC -Tanzania
Zamalek SC -Egypt
CR Belouizdad -Algeria
Wydad AC -Morroco
ZESCO United- Zambia
AS Maniema- DR Congo
USM Alger- Algeria
San Pedro- Ivory Coast
Singida Black Stars- Tanzania
Olympique de Safi- Morocco
Kaizer Chiefs- South Africa
Stellenbosch FC- South Africa
Otoho d’Oyo- Congo Republic
Djoliba- Mali
Nairobi United- Kenya
Al Masry- Egypt
Seeding Pots for the Draw
Pot 1: Zamalek SC, Wydad AC, CR Belouizdad, USM Alger
Pot 2: Al Masry, Stellenbosch FC, Djoliba, AS Maniema
Pot 3: Kaizer Chiefs, Otoho d’Oyo
Pot 4: Azam FC, ZESCO United, San Pedro, Singida Black Stars, Olympique de Safi, Nairobi United.
CAF clarified that Pot 3 contains only two teams due to ranking variations, while the unseeded teams in Pot 4 are included for draw balance and do not influence the seeding process.
CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 Prize Money Structure
CAF also confirmed the financial breakdown for clubs participating in this season’s Confederation Cup:
Winners: $2,000,000
Runners-up: $1,000,000
Semi-finalists: $750,000 each
Quarter-finalists: $550,000 each
Third in group: $400,000
Fourth in group: $300,000
Group stage qualification (guaranteed): $400,000
CAF’s financial restructuring aims to make the competition more rewarding and sustainable for African clubs.
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With powerhouse sides like Wydad AC, CR Belouizdad, USM Alger, and Kaizer Chiefs all in the mix, the 2025/26 Confederation Cup promises to be one of the most competitive editions yet.
