Know the team rankings ahead of the CAF Champions League group stage draw

The list of clubs qualified for the group stage of the CAF Champions League for the 2026-2027 season has been completed, with Zamalek SC and Pyramids FC representing Egyptian football, following the conclusion of the second preliminary round of the continental tournament.

The draw is set to take place on Wednesday, October 28, at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in 6th of October City, to determine the groups for the next stage.

The qualifiers saw notable surprises, including the exit of South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, the defending champions, after losing to Angola's Wiliete on away goals. The tournament also saw the departure of Libyan club Al-Suwaihli, Congolese side TP Mazembe, Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas, and Sudan's Al-Merrikh from the second preliminary round.

The team rankings ahead of the group stage draw.

First classification:

Zamalek SC is a prominent Egyptian football club.

Pyramids FC from Egypt.

Esperance Tunis.

Nahdat Berkane from Morocco.

Second classification:

Al-Hilal.

Simba SC.

Petro Atlético of Angola.

Young Africans of Tanzania.

Third classification:

Mouloudia Club d'Alger is a prominent football club based in Algeria.

Orlando Pirates from South Africa.

Nouadhibou is a Mauritanian football club.

Horoya Conakry from Guinea.

Fourth classification:

Esperance Tunis

Willet the Angolan.

Colombian Cameroonian.

Fassif Morocco.

The group stage matches are scheduled.

The announced schedule has set the dates for the six rounds as follows:

Round one: November 27, 28, and 29.

Round two: December 4, 5, and 6.

Round three: December 18, 19, and 20.

Round four: January 8, 9, and 10.

Round five: January 15, 16, and 17.

Matchday six will take place on January 22, 23, and 24.

Could Zamalek SC and Pyramids FC meet in the group stage?

According to the draw system outlined in the data, Zamalek SC and Pyramids FC will not be in the same group due to both being in the same pot. On the other hand, the possibility of Esperance Tunis facing their compatriots from African Club is still present, as they are in different pots, with no restrictions preventing two teams from the same country from being in the same group.

The top two teams from each group qualify for the quarter-finals, continuing their pursuit of the continental title, which grants the champion a chance to participate in the 2027 Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup 2029.