June 18 – The road to the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League officially got underway on Tuesday, with 28 clubs learning their fate in the first qualifying round draw held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon.
The ties, to be played over two legs on 8/9 July and 15/16 July 2025, feature domestic champions from across the continent – many of whom will be eyeing an extended European run as the competition begins to take shape.
Among the standout fixtures, Irish side Shelbourne will host Northern Ireland’s Linfield in a cross-border clash, whilst Sweden’s Malmö FF, one of the more seasoned European campaigners in the draw, travel to Georgia to face FC Iberia 1999 Tbilisi.
Romanian giants FCSB welcome Inter Club d’Escaldes from Andorra.
Other notable matchups include:
FK Žalgiris (Lithuania) vs Hamrun Spartans (Malta)
KuPS Kuopio (Finland) vs FC Milsami Orhei (Moldova)
The New Saints (Wales) vs KF Shkëndija (North Macedonia)
Víkingur (Faroe Islands) vs Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar)
FC Drita (Kosovo) vs FC Differdange 03 (Luxembourg)
FC Noah (Armenia) vs FK Budućnost (Montenegro)
Virtus AC 1964, the first Sammarinese club to reach this stage, face Bosnia and Herzegovina’s HŠK Zrinjski Mostar, while Bulgaria’s Ludogorets take on Belarusian outfit Dinamo Minsk.
The draw for the second qualifying round is set to take place later this afternoon.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1750274393labto1750274393ofdlr1750274393owedi1750274393sni@g1750274393niwe.1750274393yrrah1750274393