Egyptian giants Zamalek have been impacted by the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) latest decision not to include additional teams in next season's CAF Champions League.
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The White Castle narrowly missed out on Champions League football next season after finishing third in the Egyptian Premier League behind Al Ahly and Pyramids FC.
Zamalek will now be playing in the CAF Confederation Cup, but there had been rumours that CAF were considering increasing the number of teams participating in the Champions League, but CAF denied this, according to Sport El Watan.
CAF officially confirmed that there will be no additional teams participating in the Champions League for teams in higher confederations, which includes the Egyptian Football Association.
"It has been officially decided to play the CAF Champions League as it was last season, with the old format, specifically in the number of participating clubs," a source from the CAF executive committee told Sport El Watan. "There may be changes in the coming years, but nothing will change next season," the source added.
It was a missed opportunity for the White Knight as the club holds ambitions of playing in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The next edition takes place in 2029, and with Zamalek not participating in the 2026 CAF Champions League, it only leaves the 2027 and 2028 editions to stand a chance to qualify.
Otherwise, the Royal Club will have to rely on having the highest coefficient ranking should no other Egyptian side win the CAF Champions League.
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Pyramids already secured their spot in the 2029 edition after winning the 2024/25 CAF Champions League.
