Rabat—The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has completed today the draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the CAF Champions League 2025/26 and the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26. There are some exciting matches ahead. With North African derbies and old rivalries on the calendar, the next few weeks are going to be intense.
CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26
The draw ceremony featured Tunisian national team legend Radhi Jaïdi and former Angola international Manucho.
Quarter-final matchups:
- QF1: Al Masry SC vs. CR Belouizdad
- QF2: Olympique Club de Safi vs. Wydad AC
- QF3: AS Otoho vs. Zamalek SC
- QF4: AS Maniema Union vs. USM Alger
The big story here is the all-Moroccan quarter-final tie between OC Safi and Wydad AC, which means we’re guaranteed to see at least one Moroccan team in the semis. Zamalek SC travel to Congo to face AS Otoho, while USM Alger will play the first leg away at AS Maniema Union. CR Belouizdad will host Al Masry SC in a cross-regional contest.
CAF regulations specify that group runners-up host the first leg, and the away goals rule will be applied if aggregate scores are tied. Additionally, VAR will be implemented for all knockout matches, ensuring high-stakes decisions are fairly reviewed.
Semi-Final Path:
- SF1: Winner QF4 vs Winner QF2
- SF2: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF3
This bracket could lead to some seriously dramatic semi-finals. We might see Wydad or Safi take on USM Alger or Maniema, and there’s a real chance for a CR Belouizdad vs. Zamalek showdown, a matchup that would definitely reignite those old North African rivalries.
Schedule:
- First legs: March 15, 2026
- Second legs: March 22, 2026
Prize money: Quarter-finalists are guaranteed $550,000, with winners of the Confederation Cup set to earn $2,000,000.
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CAF Champions League 2025/26
The Champions League draw was conducted by former Mali international Mohamed Sissoko and Egyptian striker Emad Moteab.
Quarter-Final Matchups:
- QF1: RS Berkane vs Al Hilal SC
- QF2: Espérance Sportive de Tunis vs Al Ahly FC
- QF3: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Stade Malien
- QF4: AS FAR vs Pyramids FC (defending champions)
Espérance vs. Al Ahly immediately stands out as an exciting fixture, repeating the 2024 final and reigniting the “African Derby.” Historical context adds weight: Espérance famously overturned a 3-1 deficit to defeat Al Ahly 3-0 in the 2018 final, and Al Ahly claimed the 2024 title after a goalless first leg.
AS FAR face defending champions Pyramids FC in a tactically intriguing matchup. RS Berkane will look to capitalize on home advantage against Al Hilal SC, and Mamelodi Sundowns are favored against Stade Malien, though knockout football often defies expectations.
Semi-Final Path:
- SF1: Winner QF2 vs Winner QF3
- SF2: Winner QF4 vs Winner QF1
We could be looking at some massive semi-finals: one side might see a heavyweight clash between Espérance or Al Ahly and Sundowns, while the other could pit AS FAR or Pyramids against RS Berkane or Al Hilal.
Schedule:
- First legs: March 13–14, 2026
- Second leg: March 20–21, 2026
- Semi-finals: April 10–12 (first legs), April 17–19 (second legs)
- Finals: Confederation Cup May 16, 2026 | Champions League May 24, 2026
In terms of prize money, the quarter-finalists are guaranteed $900,000, with the Champions League winner earning $4,000,000, reflecting CAF’s increased financial incentives for the 2025/26 season.
