The World Cup final was played yesterday, but several club sides all around Europe are already preparing themselves to make their competitive debut in the 2026/27 campaign.
Such is the case of Portuguese duo Benfica and Braga, who this week begin their quest to reach this season’s UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League respectively. Today’s draws in Nyon, Switzerland, dictated possible future adversaries for the two teams.
Both will have to see off three opponents, getting through two qualifying rounds and the playoff, to book their place in the league phase of the competition.
Braga are first to step onto the pitch. Having reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last year, Carlos Vicens’ side will be hoping for another lengthy run in Europe, this time in the Conference League.
The Warriors play Zeleznicar Pancevo in Serbia in the first leg of their second qualifying tie on Wednesday, the return match at the Quarry one week later. Zeleznicar Pancevo finished fourth in the Serbian championship last season.
Should Braga win, they will subsequently play the winner of the tie between Neftchi from Azerbaijan and Dinamo Minsk from Belarus.
Potential trip to Austria or Scotland awaits Benfica
Benfica also have to go through qualifying to reach the league phase of the Europa League, after Torreense’s shock win against Sporting in the Portuguese Cup final meant the Liga II outfit were allocated Portugal’s automatic spot in the competition.
Benfica therefore officially begin their season on Thursday, when they will take on Swiss side St. Gallen at Estádio Sitter. The second leg will be in Lisbon on 30 July. Last season St. Gallen were runners-up in the Swiss Super League.
If the Eagles negotiate their way past the Swiss club, they will play the winner of the tie between Sturm Graz (Austria) and Hearts (Scotland) for a berth in the playoff.
