CAF has confirmed the draw procedures for the preliminary rounds of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27, with 61 clubs set to compete across Africa's most prestigious club competition.

Who is exempt from the first preliminary round?

Three clubs — Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Espérance Sportive de Tunis, and RS Berkane — have been granted exemptions from the First Preliminary Round on account of their continental rankings. All three will enter the competition directly at the Second Preliminary Round stage.

How the five levels work

The remaining 58 clubs will play 29 two-legged ties in the First Preliminary Round, with winners progressing to join the trio of exempt sides in a 32-team Second Preliminary Round. To structure the draw fairly, all 61 clubs have been divided into five levels based on their CAF competition history and ranking.

Level 1 consists solely of the three exempt clubs. Level 2 features 10 highly ranked sides: Atlético Petróleos, Orlando Pirates, Simba SC, Young Africans, Zamalek SC, Pyramids FC, Al Hilal, ASEC Mimosas, Stade Malien, and MC Alger. These clubs enter in the First Preliminary Round against non-ranked opposition and, if they advance, face another non-ranked club in the next stage.

Level 3 contains six ranked clubs and Level 4 holds the six lowest-ranked teams. Clubs from these two levels are drawn against each other in the First Preliminary Round, with winners meeting one another in the Second Preliminary Round.

Level 5 is made up of the 36 non-ranked clubs, who will be drawn against higher-ranked opponents across both preliminary rounds. Five geographically influenced draw pots have been created to minimise travel burdens on participating clubs.

Draw mechanics and hosting rules

During the draw, clubs are selected from their respective pots to determine First Preliminary Round fixtures. Unless stated otherwise, the first club drawn hosts the first leg. However, non-ranked clubs drawn against ranked opposition will always host the opening leg of the First Preliminary Round.

The draw procedure will also map out potential Second Preliminary Round pairings in advance, giving clubs a clear picture of their route through the opening stages. In the Second Preliminary Round, Mamelodi Sundowns, RS Berkane, and Espérance Sportive de Tunis will each host the return leg of their respective ties.

Country protection rule

No two clubs from the same country can be drawn against each other. If such a conflict arises during the draw, the club in question will be skipped to the next available fixture and a replacement selected in its place.

Path to the group stage

The 16 winners of the Second Preliminary Round will advance to the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27.