Zamalek SC has suffered a devastating blow following their 2026 CAF Confederation Cup campaign. After losing the final to USM Alger, the club discovered that their expected financial windfall is far lower than previously reported.
Facing a massive debt crisis, Zamalek needs approximately $6 million to settle FIFA fines, lift their transfer ban, and secure eligibility for next season’s African competitions. While the club hoped for a $4 million champion’s prize, they were defeated on penalties in Cairo.
Compounding the crisis, a technical error on the official CAF website had incorrectly listed the runner-up prize as $2 million. However, CAF clarified that the actual prize for second place is only $1 million.
The situation turned from bad to worse as Egyptian media revealed that Zamalek still owes CAF $500,000 in fines accumulated over the last two years.
Consequently, CAF will deduct this amount directly from the prize money, leaving the “White Knights” with a mere $500,000—a sum far too small to resolve their mounting legal and financial battles.
Zamalek now faces a race against time to settle their FIFA cases before the end of May to avoid being banned from continental football next season.
