The absence of Al Ahly from participating in the African Champions League is a rare historical event in the twenty-first century, after it lost the opportunity to qualify directly for the tournament for the first time since 2003.
Al Ahly has previously exited the preliminary rounds of the African Champions League and moved to the Confederation Cup, but this is the first time in the club's history that the team has missed the tournament due to failing to qualify for it domestically, under its current system.
As a result of the team's participation in the Confederation Cup, Al Ahly may incur several unprecedented financial and sporting losses, which we outline in the following report:
Competing for a smaller prize
Financial returns are one of the important factors that drive clubs to compete more strongly for titles in order to achieve gains that offset part of the expenses they incur throughout their campaign.
The Confederation of African Football has increased the prize money for the Confederation Cup winner in the 2025-2026 edition to $4 million, while the prize for the African Champions League winner has risen to $6 million.
Missing out on the opportunity to participate in the Intercontinental Cup
By participating in the Confederation Cup, Al Ahly loses the chance to compete in the Intercontinental Cup, which is organized annually by the International Federation of Association Football "FIFA".
Participation in the Intercontinental Cup guarantees the African champion a prize starting from $2 million and potentially reaching $5 million, depending on the stage the team reaches.
Al Ahly has previously participated in the tournament and won the Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup after defeating Al Ain of the UAE. Pyramids also participated in the last edition and won the same title after defeating Al Ahli Jeddah of Saudi Arabia.
Losing the third ticket to the Club World Cup
Al Ahly has lost the opportunity to compete for the third qualifying ticket to the Club World Cup after failing to qualify for the African Champions League, which grants its titleholder a spot in the global event.
Al Ahly had participated in the 2025 edition, the first of the Club World Cup under its new format, while Pyramids and Sundowns qualified for the next edition, alongside the winner of the 2026-2027 African Champions League edition, which Al Ahly will miss.
Al Ahly will have one main path: qualifying for the next edition of the African Champions League and then winning its title in order to participate in the Club World Cup for the second consecutive time.
Decline in the ranking path for the Club World Cup
The ranking path is the alternative option for qualifying for the Club World Cup, in the event that one club wins the African Champions League more than once during the four-year ranking calculation period.
The qualifying ranking for the 2025 Club World Cup was based on the clubs' results in the first continental tournament in each continent, and in Africa, the teams' results in the African Champions League are counted.
Accordingly, Al Ahly's absence from the African Champions League may lead to a decline in its ranking, according to the results of its competitors who continue in the tournament.
