Fifteen clubs have confirmed their spots in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27 Group Stage, setting the scene for Wednesday's draw in Cairo. Defending champions USM Alger, continental giants Al Ahly, and former title holders Raja Club Athletic headline a compelling field that will be sorted into four groups of four on 28 October at the Egyptian Football Association Headquarters, starting at 14h00 local time (11h00 GMT).

One Group Stage berth remains open, pending the outcome of a qualification tie between Algeria's CR Belouizdad and either Mauritania's AS Douanes or Guinea's Hafia Club. The top two finishers in each group will advance to the quarter-finals when the competition resumes in November.

Continental heavyweights lead the way

Al Ahly arrive as Africa's most decorated club, having won the CAF Champions League a record 12 times and lifted the CAF Confederation Cup in 2014 — bringing their total of major CAF interclub titles to 17. The Egyptian side swept past Uganda's Kitara FC with a 6-1 aggregate win, including a dominant 4-0 home victory in the return leg, to secure their third Confederation Cup Group Stage appearance.

CS Sfaxien of Tunisia are the competition's joint-record title holders alongside Morocco's RS Berkane, with three Confederation Cup crowns to their name — in 2007, 2008, and 2013 — as well as a runner-up finish in 2010 and the CAF Cup in 1998. They will be making their 11th Group Stage appearance.

AS FAR of Morocco bring recent continental pedigree, having reached the CAF Champions League final last season. The Moroccan side are also former Confederation Cup champions, winning in 2005 before finishing runners-up in 2006. They edged past Côte d'Ivoire's CO Korhogo 2-1 on aggregate to book their third Group Stage campaign.

Returning contenders and fresh challengers

Al Ahli Tripoli return to the Group Stage for the first time since 2021/22, when they reached the semi-finals before falling to South Africa's Orlando Pirates. The Libyan club, who claimed their ninth Libyan Cup last season, were ruthless in qualifying, defeating Ethiopia's Welwalo Adigrat 8-1 on aggregate.

AS Maniema Union of DR Congo are back for a second successive Group Stage after reaching the quarter-finals in 2025/26, where USM Alger eliminated them on the away goals rule. They were among the most emphatic qualifiers this time around, beating Angola's Kabuscorp 4-1 both home and away for an 8-2 aggregate triumph.

AS Real Bamako return to the Group Stage for the first time since 2014. The Malian club boast a proud continental heritage, having reached the African Cup of Champions Clubs final as far back as 1966. They secured qualification by defeating Tunisia's ES Zarzis 5-3 on aggregate, including a 3-1 away victory in the first leg.

ASKO de Kara of Togo — their country's sole representatives ever to feature at this stage — edged through in dramatic fashion, recovering from a 3-2 first-leg defeat to Mali's FC Diarra by winning 1-0 at home and progressing on the away goals rule. Azam FC of Tanzania return for a second straight Group Stage campaign after finishing third in Group B last season, sealing their place with a 2-1 aggregate win over Egypt's ZED FC, courtesy of a decisive Iddy Nado goal in the home leg.

Emerging sides making their mark

Black Bulls of Mozambique make their second Group Stage appearance following their debut in 2024/25. They overcame Rwanda's Rayon Sports 4-2 on aggregate — taking a 2-0 lead in the away leg — to continue Mozambique's growing footprint in continental football. South Africa's Durban City and Zambia's Red Arrows also feature among the confirmed participants, with their qualification campaigns described as producing significant milestones for both clubs.

With defending champions USM Alger and a host of experienced sides in the mix, the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.