CAF Confederation Cup 2026: Quarter-Final and Semi-Final Draws Confirmed

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially conducted the draw for the quarter-final and semi-final stages of the 2026 CAF Confederation Cup. The draw took place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, bringing clarity to the path teams must navigate to reach the final.

The quarter-final fixtures are scheduled to be played over two legs, with the first leg on March 15 and the return leg on March 22. The draw produced several high-profile clashes that are expected to deliver thrilling encounters for fans across the continent.

Quarter-Final Matchups:

• Al Masry (Egypt) vs CR Belouizdad (Algeria): A classic North African clash, promising tactical battles and passionate fan support.
• Olympique de Safi (Morocco) vs Wydad Casablanca (Morocco): A Moroccan derby that will see domestic rivals face off on the continental stage, with Olympique de Safi hosting the first leg.
• AS Otoho (Congo) vs Zamalek SC (Egypt): The Congolese side AS Otoho will take on Egyptian giants Zamalek SC in a matchup that highlights the rising competitiveness of clubs from Central Africa.
• AS Maniema Union (DR Congo) vs USM Alger (Algeria): A clash combining DR Congo’s resilience with Algeria’s tactical discipline, promising an intriguing two-legged contest.

Following the quarter-finals, the semi-finals are scheduled for April 12 (first leg) and April 19 (second leg). The winners of the quarter-final ties will progress to determine the finalists:

Semi-Final Pairings:

• SF1: Winner of AS Maniema Union/USM Alger will face the victor of Olympique de Safi/Wydad Casablanca.
• SF2: Winner of Al Masry/CR Belouizdad will meet the winner of AS Otoho/Zamalek SC.

CAF President Mokhtar Motsepe has expressed excitement over the draw, highlighting the strength and depth of African club football. He emphasized that matches like the Moroccan derby between Olympique de Safi and Wydad Casablanca demonstrate the growing competitiveness and quality of continental competitions.

With the quarter-finals just a month away, clubs are already preparing strategies and squad rotations to ensure they advance. Fans can expect high-intensity matches, passionate atmospheres, and moments of individual brilliance as the race to lift the trophy continues.