CAIRO — The Egyptian Premier League is heading for an exciting end this season. Zamalek, Al-Ahly and Pyramids FC are still locked in a battle set to go right down to the final round of the 2025–26 campaign. It is setting up a dramatic finish.
After the sixth and penultimate round of the championship phase, nothing has been decided. All three sides have kept their title hopes alive, setting up a nail-biting final day where anything can happen and there is virtually no room for error.
Race tightens
Things tightened further in the latest round. Al-Ahly hammered Enppi 3-0, laying down a marker. Zamalek edged past Smouha 1-0, just about holding on to their place at the top. Pyramids FC, meanwhile, was held to a 1-1 draw by Ceramica Cleopatra—a result that could yet prove costly.
Looking at the table, Zamalek sits on 53 points, two ahead of Pyramids FC, with Al-Ahly just behind on 50. With the teams so tightly packed, the final round will decide everything.
Zamalek on top
Zamalek holds the initiative heading into the closing fixtures. A win—or even a draw—against Ceramica Cleopatra will be enough to secure the title, regardless of results elsewhere.
Defeat, however, would open the door to their rivals. Even then, the White Knights could still prevail, provided Pyramids FC or Al-Ahly fail to capitalise, leaving multiple routes to the trophy still in their hands.
Pressure on rivals
Pyramids FC must secure a win against Smouha and hope for a Zamalek slip to stand any chance of lifting the title. Even then, their fate is out of their hands, with results elsewhere ultimately deciding whether their hopes remain alive.
Al-Ahly has the toughest task among the contenders. Beating Al-Masry of Port Said is a must, but even if they pull it off, the title is still not guaranteed. Their hopes also depend on Zamalek slipping up and Pyramids FC dropping points. As a result, their chances of lifting the title are as reliant on other results.
Final-day fixtures (May 20)
Zamalek vs Ceramica
Pyramids FC vs Smouha
Al-Masry vs Al-Ahly
All matches will kick off simultaneously at 20:00 Cairo local time, ensuring a level playing field on a night set to decide the championship.
Group standings
Zamalek 53 pts
Pyramids FC 51 pts
Al-Ahly 50 pts
Ceramica 44 pts
Al-Masry 40 pts
CAF battle on
Beyond the title race, the battle for CAF Champions League qualification adds another layer of intrigue. The top two will secure places in Africa’s premier club competition, with the same three sides once again at the heart of the fight.
Zamalek is best placed, requiring just a positive result to confirm the title and secure their place in the continental championship.
The battle for the second Champions League spot is wide open. If Pyramids FC win, they will lock in a place in the CAF Champions League—even if they do not win the league title. However, any slip-up now leaves their hopes of African qualification on shaky ground.
If Pyramids FC falter and Al-Ahly secures a win, the Red Devils will move into second place, due to a better head-to-head record and would take part in the CAF Confederation Cup.
There is also a scenario in which Zamalek could drop from first to third. A defeat, combined with wins for both Al-Ahly and Pyramids FC, would see Pyramids crowned champions and Al-Ahly finishes second, pushing Zamalek out of the Champions League places on head-to-head.
All to play for
Zamalek holds the edge right now, but things can change quickly. The last round is shaping up to be a thriller.
The title race is tight—it is all going to come down to what happens on the field.
