TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2025/26: A New Era of Record Club Participation
The 2025/26 season of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League is officially kicking off this Friday with historic numbers and bold ambitions. With a record 62 clubs signed up, this season underlines CAF’s push to broaden participation and elevate the competitiveness of African club football.
📅 Key Dates & Structure
|
Stage |
First Leg |
Second Leg |
|---|---|---|
|
Preliminary Round 1 |
19–21 September 2025 |
26–28 September 2025 |
|
Preliminary Round 2 |
17–19 October 2025 |
24–26 October 2025 |
|
Group Stage Begins |
21 November 2025 |
|
|
Knockout Phase Starts |
13 March 2026 |
💰 Financial Support & Incentives
One of the most significant changes this season is the introduction of new financial incentives aimed at making early eliminations less punishing:
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Clubs eliminated in the first two preliminary rounds will receive USD 100,000 each. This is intended to help with logistical costs and encourage broader participation.
👥 Notable Matchups & Clubs to Watch
While many of the continent’s giants won’t feature in the opening weekend, there are several high-profile fixtures to keep an eye on:
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RS Berkane (Morocco), winner of the CAF Confederation Cup, returns to the Champions League after claiming the Moroccan league. They open against ASC Kara (Togo).
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Orlando Pirates, semifinalists last season, face Lioli FC (Lesotho).
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Power Dynamos (Zambia) take on Ivorian heavyweights ASEC Mimosas.
🔍 What This Means for African Football
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Increased Visibility & Competition
With 62 teams in the race, clubs from smaller associations will get more exposure, which could lead to better player development, sponsorship deals, and fan engagement across Africa.
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Financial Relief
The USD 100,000 safety net for early-eliminated squads helps ease the pressure of travel, accommodation, and other logistics often stretching tight budgets.
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More Dramatic Fixtures Early On
Preliminary rounds, often overlooked, will be more intense this season. Every match counts both for prestige and financial viability.
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Broadcast & Digital Push
CAF plans to show matches across its official partners, with bonus digital content—behind-the-scenes, highlights, and more—on CAF TV and YouTube. Fans can expect richer coverage.
🏆The CAF Champions League 2025/26 season is shaping up to be one of the most inclusive and competitive yet. With record participation, meaningful financial support, and exciting early matchups, this isn’t just business as usual—it’s another step toward transforming African club football on the continental stage.
Stay tuned, because this could be the season where underdogs make noise, legends are born, and the map of African football shifts yet again.
