The holders, USM Alger, are into the group stage of the Confederation Cup without playing a match: Equatorial Guinean club The Panthers FC announced their withdrawal this Sunday, 18 October 2026, citing severe financial difficulties.
The second preliminary round of the Confederation Cup has lost its edge before the first leg even kicks off. The Panthers FC confirmed their withdrawal from the tie against USM Alger on Sunday, 18 October 2026, according to Afrik-Foot. The reason: severe financial difficulties that prevent the Equatorial Guinean club from playing the two-legged tie.
For USM Alger, the consequence is direct: they are confirmed as qualified for the group stage by default, without playing a single preliminary match. Already exempt from the first preliminary round, they now face a forced break from continental competition until the group stage.
The withdrawal statement
The Equatorial Guinean club chose strong words to announce the pull-out. According to its official statement relayed by Afrik-Foot, the The Panthers FC management said: “Today, heartbroken but with our heads held very high, we find ourselves obliged to communicate the most difficult decision in our club’s history: THE PANTHERS FC is withdrawing from the Second Preliminary Round of the CAF TotalEnergies Confederation Cup 2026/2027 against USM Alger”.
The tie had already seen a twist. The first leg was initially due to be held in Douala, Cameroon, before being relocated to Algiers because of stadium rental costs. Both legs were eventually scheduled for the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, on 20 and 25 October 2026. A double home date for USM Alger that will never take place.
A qualification without a match
For USM Alger, the holders of the CAF Cup, the withdrawal cancels two matches planned in Algiers. The club enters the group stage with the holders’ tag, without having played a single preliminary match.
The qualification is, however, only confirmed via Afrik-Foot, which reports that USM Alger are thus qualified by default, without CAF being cited as a source. The Panthers’ withdrawal, on the other hand, is duly confirmed by their official statement.
The schedule for the coming weeks
The draw for the Confederation Cup group stage is scheduled for 28 October 2026 in Cairo.
The following day, 29 October, USM Alger will play their next official match, in the league.