In this guide
Regional acronyms identify qualification geographyEach club plays three group opponentsThe third-place match is separateSimilar club branding needs the women’s labelFinal tournament and qualifying tournament are differentUse the edition and team categoryThe CAF Women’s Champions League is Africa’s women’s continental club competition. Its 2026 final tournament contains eight clubs in two groups of four, staged centrally in Egypt.
The field includes the holder, the host-country champion and representatives from CAF’s regional qualification routes. A zonal label explains the route to the finals; it is not the name of a national team taking part.
Regional acronyms identify qualification geography
COSAFA, CECAFA, UNIFFAC, UNAF and the WAFU zones identify regional routes represented in the field. The 2026 clubs include Mamelodi Sundowns via COSAFA and Kawempe Muslim via CECAFA. Clubs retain their own identities while representing those pathways.
Each club plays three group opponents
The four-team groups use one meeting with each opponent. The leading two in each group reach the semi-finals, with winners playing the other group’s runner-up. A group winner still needs two knockout victories to take the title.
The third-place match is separate
The semi-final losers play for third; the semi-final winners play the final. A programme labelled third-place match does not offer another route to the championship. It is a placement contest within the same finals event.
Similar club branding needs the women’s label
A club organisation can field men’s and women’s teams under recognisable branding. Their continental tables and results remain separate. AS FAR’s women’s side in this competition should not be merged with a men’s CAF Champions League record.
Final tournament and qualifying tournament are different
A regional qualifier selects a representative. The central finals determine the continental champion. A recording from the qualifying route is part of the journey but not one of the finals group matches.
| Programme context | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Zonal qualification | Entry to the finals |
| Finals group | Select semi-finalists |
| Semi-final | Select finalists |
| Third-place match | Determine placement |
Use the edition and team category
Preserve women’s, CAF Champions League, year and stage in a watchlist. Those details prevent regional qualification, central finals and a similarly named men’s programme from becoming indistinguishable.