The countdown to the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup has officially begun, with the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) confirming that the tournament draw will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, in Kigali.
The draw ceremony is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. (Rwanda time) in the Press Conference Room at Amahoro Stadium. Former Rwanda international Haruna Niyonzima, a veteran of several CECAFA Kagame Cup editions, will assist in conducting the draw.
The prestigious regional club championship will run from July 24 to August 7, 2026, bringing together 12 of East and Central Africa’s top clubs as they fine-tune preparations for the 2026/27 continental season.
Tournament Format
CECAFA Competitions Manager Yusuf Mossi confirmed that the 12 participating clubs will be divided into three groups of four teams.
The winner of each group will automatically qualify for the semi-finals, while the best-performing runner-up from across the three groups will claim the remaining semi-final slot.
According to CECAFA, the tournament provides an important competitive platform for clubs preparing for the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, both of which begin in September.
Confirmed Participating Clubs
The final list of teams was confirmed after reigning champions Singida Black Stars FC accepted their invitation. The 12 participating clubs are:
- Gor Mahia FC
- Simba SC
- Singida Black Stars FC (Defending champions)
- APR FC
- Rayon Sports FC
- Vipers SC
- Al Hilal SC
- Al Merrikh SC
- Jamus SC
- Mogadishu City Club
- FC Garde Républicaine
- KVZ FC
One of the major talking points is the return of Simba SC, who will feature in the competition for the first time since 2018, adding further excitement to an already star-studded field.
Tournament Venues
All matches will be played in Kigali at:
- Amahoro Stadium
- Kigali Pelé Stadium
With regional giants such as Gor Mahia FC, Simba SC, APR FC, Vipers SC, and defending champions Singida Black Stars FC in the mix, this year’s CECAFA Kagame Cup is expected to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years.
