The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will finalize the knockout stage pairings for its premier club competitions on Tuesday during a highly anticipated draw ceremony in Cairo. The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) headquarters will host the event, where officials will determine the quarter-final matchups and the subsequent bracket path to the finals for both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. Fans across the continent can monitor the proceedings live via CAF’s official YouTube channel, CAF TV.
The administrative schedule begins with the CAF Confederation Cup draw at 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT), followed immediately by the Champions League pairings at 14:00 local time (12:00 GMT). This ceremony represents a pivotal moment in the 2025/26 season, as it outlines the road to continental glory for the sixteen remaining clubs. The double-draw format ensures that every surviving team understands its potential route to the championship match before the first knockout ball is kicked.
A formidable lineup of eight clubs has secured passage to the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. The qualified field includes defending champions Pyramids FC and fellow Egyptian giants Al Ahly, alongside Moroccan contenders Renaissance Berkane and FAR Rabat. They join a diverse group featuring Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Mali’s Stade Malien, and Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
Simultaneously, the CAF Confederation Cup has narrowed its field to eight resilient competitors following a rigorous group stage. The participants for Tuesday’s draw include Algerian sides USM Alger and CR Belouizdad, Moroccan representatives Olympique de Safi and Wydad AC, and Egyptian powerhouses Zamalek and Al Masry. Completing the quarter-final roster are Maniema from the DR Congo and Congo’s Otoho d’Oyo.
The draws serve as more than just a scheduling exercise; they establish the psychological landscape for the remainder of the tournament. Coaches and players will use the results to begin their tactical scouting and logistical planning for the high-intensity home-and-away legs. As North African clubs continue to demonstrate significant dominance in both competitions, the other regional representatives aim to disrupt the traditional hierarchy starting in March.
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