CAF Women's Champions League Egypt 2026 kicks off today as Africa's top clubs begin battle for continental glory
The CAF Women's Champions League Egypt 2026 kicks off on Sunday, 01 November, in Ismailia, with eight of Africa's leading women's football clubs competing for the continental crown and a USD 600,000 winners' prize.
The sixth edition of Africa's premier women's club competition will run until 15 November at the Suez Canal Stadium, with defending champions AS FAR of Morocco and two-time winners Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa among the leading contenders.
Egypt is hosting the competition for the third time, following the inaugural edition in 2021 and the 2025 tournament, underlining the country's growing role in the development of women's club football on the continent.
The opening day features two compelling Group A encounters, beginning with Morocco's FUS Rabat against Cameroon's Lekié Football Filles at 14h00 local time (12h00 GMT).
Both teams are making their debut in the continental finals and will be determined to make an immediate impact in their first appearance on Africa's biggest women's club stage.
The second fixture promises an exciting contest between Egyptian hosts FC Masar and Mamelodi Sundowns at 17h00 local time (15h00 GMT).
The match brings together two clubs with unfinished business after Masar defeated Sundowns 1-0 during the 2024 edition. The Egyptian side will be hoping to repeat that achievement on home soil, while the South African giants begin their pursuit of a third continental title.
The competition features three debutants in FUS Rabat, Lekié Football Filles and Uganda's Kawempe Muslim Ladies, alongside established continental contenders from across Africa.
Group B action gets underway on Monday, 02 November, when defending champions AS FAR face Kawempe Muslim Ladies, before Mali's USFAS Bamako meet Ghanaian representatives Ampem Darkoa.
AS FAR will be targeting a successful defence of the title they won in 2025, having also lifted the trophy in 2022.
Their principal challengers include Mamelodi Sundowns, who claimed the inaugural title in 2021 before securing their second crown in 2023.
The competition has produced three different champions since its inception, with DR Congo's TP Mazembe also claiming the title in 2024.
The 2026 edition offers significant financial rewards, with a total prize-money allocation of USD 2.35 million.
The eventual champions will receive USD 600,000, while the runners-up will earn USD 400,000. The third-placed team will receive USD 350,000 and the fourth-placed side USD 300,000.
Clubs finishing third and fourth in their respective groups will also receive USD 200,000 and USD 150,000 respectively, ensuring that all eight participating teams benefit financially from their involvement.
Beyond the continental title and prize money, the winners will secure a place in the second qualifying round of the FIFA Women's Champions Cup 2027, where they will face DPR Korea's Naegohyang WFC in December 2026.
The final phase of the FIFA competition will be staged in Miami, United States, from 27 to 31 January 2027, providing an opportunity for the African champions to compete on the global stage.
The CAF Women's Champions League continues to play a central role in advancing women's football across Africa by providing greater international exposure, competitive opportunities and financial support to clubs and players.
The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups of four, with the top two sides in each group advancing to the semi-finals on 11 November.
The third-place play-off will be contested on 14 November, before the competition concludes with the final on Sunday, 15 November, at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
CAF Women's Champions League Egypt 2026 – Groups
GROUP A
- FC Masar (Egypt)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- FUS Rabat (Morocco)
- Lekié Football Filles (Cameroon)
GROUP B
- AS FAR (Morocco)
- Kawempe Muslim Ladies (Uganda)
- USFAS Bamako (Mali)
- Ampem Darkoa (Ghana)
Opening Fixtures
Sunday, 01 November 2026 – Group A
- 14h00: FUS Rabat (Morocco) vs Lekié Football Filles (Cameroon)
- 17h00: FC Masar (Egypt) vs Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Monday, 02 November 2026 – Group B
- 14h00: AS FAR (Morocco) vs Kawempe Muslim Ladies (Uganda)
- 17h00: USFAS Bamako (Mali) vs Ampem Darkoa (Ghana)
All times are local Egyptian time (GMT+2).
For more information on the CAF Women's Champions League Egypt 2026, visit www.cafonline.com.
Further Enquiries:
CAF | Communication Department