Al Ahly, the champion of 2025, received an exemption from the first preliminary round, along with South African team Mamelodi Sundowns, according to sports websites. Al Ahly will face the winner of the match between Burundian Eagle Noir and Djibouti’s ASAS in the Round of 32.
Pyramids will start their journey from the Round of 64, facing Rwandan Army. The first leg will be played outside Egypt, and the return leg on the Air Defense Stadium. If they qualify, Pyramids will face the winner of the Ethiopian Insurance and Zanzibari Milange match in the Round of 32, with the same match order (first leg away and return leg in Egypt).
Sundowns, the other team exempted from the Round of 64, will face the winner of the Nigerian Remo Stars and Zilimadjou from Comoros in the Round of 32.
Among the notable matches of the Round of 64: First leg matches from September 19 to 21, 2025, and the return legs from September 26 to 28, 2025. Round of 32: First leg matches from October 17 to 19, 2025, and the return legs from October 24 to 26, 2025. The group stage begins on November 21, 2025, and continues until March 2026.
This draw is part of preparations for the new season’s competitions, where Al Ahly aims to retain its continental title while Pyramids seeks a strong start in its first participation in the Champions League.
