CAF has set Wednesday 28 October as the date for the group stage draw of the Champions League and the Confederation Cup, at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in 6th of October City, near Cairo.
The Confederation of African Football has set the date for the group stage draw of the Champions League and the Confederation Cup: it will be Wednesday 28 October, at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association, located in 6th of October City, near Cairo, according to Foot Afrique.
The officials and team managers of the qualified clubs are invited to the official ceremony. A technical and logistical workshop bringing together club officials and CAF will then be held on 29 and 30 October, again in Cairo.
A list of qualifiers still incomplete
At the time of the announcement, the list of qualifiers is not yet complete. The second legs of the second preliminary round are being played on 24 and 25 October, just a few days before the Egyptian ceremony, and must determine the full set of clubs qualified for the group stage.
The lucky ones will then have a few days to finalise their paperwork before 31 October and prepare their trip to Cairo.
Tight administrative deadlines
On the administrative side, CAF had required clubs playing this second preliminary round to register the identity of their team manager before 17 October, a condition for covering travel costs. A deadline already passed at the time of the announcement.
The final registration of players qualified for the group stage must be completed by 31 October, three days after the draw.
A calendar stretching to May 2027
The group stages of the Champions League and the Confederation Cup will officially begin on 27 and 28 November 2026. The two competitions will then move forward in step: the group phase will stretch to January 2027, before the kick-off of the quarter-finals.
The finals of the Champions League and the Confederation Cup are scheduled between 9 and 31 May 2027.