CAIRO – Clubs are ramping up preparations for the 2025–26 Egyptian Premier League season with intensive training camps across various cities, bolstered by key signings and tactical reshuffles, as the countdown begins for the newly advanced start date of August 8.
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA), in coordination with the Egyptian Professional Clubs Association, has finalized plans to launch the new season a week earlier than initially scheduled. The decision aims to create space for five matchdays before the national team’s critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.
New format
The 2025–26 campaign introduces a two-phase league format to accommodate the participation of 21 clubs, following last season’s cancellation of relegation.
Phase One will feature a single round-robin involving all 21 teams.
Phase Two will see clubs split into two groups. A Championship Group to compete for the title and continental qualification. A Relegation Group to determine the teams that will drop down.
The season will conclude in May 2026, marking the second straight year the Egyptian league aligns with the European football calendar — a strategic move to improve scheduling consistency after years of disruption.
World Cup hopes
Head coach Hossam Hassan will lead the Pharaohs into a pivotal September camp, with Egypt hosting Ethiopia before traveling to face Burkina Faso in decisive Group A qualifiers. A win in both fixtures would secure Egypt’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Egypt currently leads Group A with 16 points, five clear of second-placed Burkina Faso (11 points), followed by Sierra Leone (8), Ethiopia and Guinea-Bissau (6 each), and Djibouti (1 point). The top spot guarantees direct qualification to the World Cup.
The EFA is currently in discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the venue for the away tie against Burkina Faso. CAF is expected to inspect the designated stadium in Ouagadougou. Should the stadium fail to meet standards, the match may be moved to a neutral venue.
Regulations in focus
The Clubs Association has scheduled the league draw for July 20, with clubs to receive official invitations shortly. In parallel, the Association is considering a press conference to unveil the season’s regulatory framework and discuss key amendments.
Association officials are currently reviewing proposed changes to the regulations to ensure alignment with club ambitions while preserving competitive balance. Among the three clubs to submit proposals are Zamalek, ZED, and NBE Club — though their suggestions are non-binding.
Zamalek called for the abolition of Clause 63, which currently states that the Association’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal. The club also proposed an amendment to withdrawal penalties, recommending a six-point deduction for any club that fails to appear.
NBE Club, meanwhile, suggested revising the financial penalties for yellow cards, citing the need for a fairer approach to in-match discipline.
Officials pointed out that the lack of feedback from 15 clubs indicates widespread approval of the existing regulations. However, the Association affirmed it will thoroughly review all submitted proposals ahead of the season opener.
Domestic calendar
To avoid calendar congestion, EFA is considering scheduling Egypt Cup fixtures between November 27 and December 5, just before the league pauses for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. During the AFCON break, the Egypt Capital Cup matches will also be staged.
In a bid to eliminate confusion over season conclusions, the Association has introduced a new clause stipulating that the 2025–26 season will officially end only after the completion of both the Egyptian Premier League and the Egypt Cup, excluding the League Cup from the formal season’s close.
This clarification follows disagreements last season between the EFA and the Clubs Association regarding the campaign’s official end date.
Looking ahead
The early start, revamped format, and commitment to a streamlined calendar reflect a coordinated strategy between the EFA and Clubs Association to elevate the structure and stature of domestic football — while providing the national team with optimal conditions to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The season’s kick-off has been advanced by one week—from August 15 to August 8—to ensure clubs can complete three to four matchdays before the national team assembles in September for its next training camp.
