UEFA Champions League 2025-2026 Third Qualifying Round Draw

The road to the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League group stage has taken another turn with the completion of the third qualifying round draw.

The draw which was held at the UEFA headquarters, saw several notable European names paired in fixtures that promise high stakes.

Champions Path

In the Champions Path, teams like Slovan Bratislava, Crvena Zvezda, Malmö FF, and FC Copenhagen headline a mix of traditional giants and rising hopefuls.

Swedish side Malmö FF could potentially face FC Copenhagen if both clubs clear their second-round hurdles against FC RFS (Latvia) and FC Drita (Kosovo), respectively, setting up what could be a fierce Nordic rivalry.

Slovan Bratislava, should they overcome HŠK Zrinjski Mostar, will clash with the winner of KuPS Kuopio vs FC Kairat Almaty, while Serbian giants Crvena Zvezda may take on Lech Poznań or Iceland’s Breidablik depending on results.

Other notable matchups include:

HNK Rijeka or Ludogorets vs FC Noah or Ferencváros

Dynamo Kyiv or Hamrun Spartans vs Pafos FC or Maccabi Tel-Aviv

KF Shkëndija or FCSB vs Shelbourne or Qarabağ

League Path

The League Path, often the more unpredictable section, has tossed together some intriguing duels. Dutch champions Feyenoord will lock horns with Turkish giants Fenerbahçe in what’s expected to be one of the round’s standout ties.

French side OGC Nice, returning to the Champions League mix with renewed ambition, face a formidable test against Portuguese heavyweights SL Benfica.

Scottish club Rangers, if they navigate past Panathinaikos, could meet either Viktoria Plzeň or Swiss outfit Servette.

Meanwhile, Club Brugge await the winner of SK Brann vs Salzburg, in a contest that pits Belgian experience against potential Austrian flair.

Note that UEFA has scheduled the two-legged fixtures for August 5/6 (first legs) and August 12 (second legs).

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