The Egyptian Football Association has officially confirmed the clubs representing Egypt in continental competitions for the 2026-2027 season, with Zamalek and Pyramids earning spots in the CAF Champions League. The decision came after the EFA board convened on Saturday under chairman Hany Abo Rida to settle administrative and technical matters ahead of the campaign.
Al Ahly and Zed will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup, marking a significant shift for the Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, who have historically dominated continental tournaments. This distribution reflects final league standings and the association's commitment to developing depth across Egypt's elite football clubs.
Leadership Changes and Structural Reforms
Beyond continental qualification, the EFA board approved several structural appointments to strengthen Egyptian football's governance. Shawky Gharib has been named technical director, spearheading a wider restructuring initiative. Essam Abdel Fattah takes the helm of the referees' committee, with the full committee composition to be announced at the next board meeting. These changes aim to raise professional standards across both domestic and international competitions.
The board also formed a dedicated committee to negotiate the contract renewal of Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan, comprising Khaled El Darandaly, Tarek Abou El Enein, and Hamada El Sherbiny. Their recommendations will be presented to Abo Rida to finalise the manager's terms moving forward.
New Medical Standards and Competition Framework
The association greenlit updated medical staff regulations for both clubs and national teams, effective from the 2026-2027 season. These new protocols are designed to standardise player healthcare and injury management across all competitions. The board also approved television broadcasting percentages and prize distribution for next season, reflecting a broader investment in developing domestic football quality.
With these decisions in place, Egyptian clubs are now positioned to represent the nation in African competition, while internal reforms seek to elevate standards in refereeing, technical direction, and player welfare as the domestic league enters a new era.
