{"id":22389,"date":"2026-07-07T16:22:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T13:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=22389"},"modified":"2026-07-07T16:23:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T13:23:28","slug":"uefa-europa-league-qualification-preview-fixtures-teams-key-matchups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/uefa-europa-league-qualification-preview-fixtures-teams-key-matchups\/","title":{"rendered":"UEFA Europa League Qualification Preview: Fixtures, Teams & Key Matchups"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]While most of Europe is still on its summer break, UEFA\u2019s European club football is already back. On 9th July 2026, six ties among twelve clubs will kick off the new UEFA Europa League qualification<\/a> season, more than two full months before the league phase begins.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although many of these games go unnoticed, the stakes could not be higher for the clubs involved. For example, for countries like Iceland, Moldova, Ireland, and more, a run through qualifying could be a game-changing opportunity, because it brings in more revenue than an entire domestic season. It also puts a small club\u2019s name in front of a Europe-wide audience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, for clubs dropping down from <\/span>Champions League qualifying<\/span>, it\u2019s a second chance at a European campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time the qualifying phase concludes on 27 August, 52 clubs will have played, and only a fraction of them will still be standing when the league phase draw is made a day later. These clubs meet the marquee teams that make it to Europe directly via their domestic competitions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Below, we tell you the qualifying format, the key dates, and the fixtures and clubs worth following for Europe\u2019s second-tier competition.<\/span><\/p>\n

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UEFA Europa League Qualification Fixtures and Schedule<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Teams enter the tournament at various stages depending on their seeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thirteen teams have qualified directly for the League phase. The remaining sides have secured their place through the first, second, and third qualifying rounds, along with the losing teams transferring from the Champions League third qualifying round. This leads to August\u2019s play-off round, where the 36-team line-up is completed.<\/span><\/p>\n

These are the teams participating in the 2026-27 season:<\/span><\/p>\n

12 Teams Entering in the First Qualifying Round<\/strong><\/h3>\n