UEFA Champions League 2026-27: Third Qualifying Round

Fans are eager to see the moves each week in the Champions League rounds. This week, the UEFA Champions League will take place on August 4-5, 2026, with clubs chasing their next-round place. Furthermore, the Champions League is running with a third qualifying round. This stage features several important teams competing for a place in the play-off round. Nevertheless, all teams will have another chance to prove themselves in the upcoming first leg of the third qualifying round.

Past UEFA Champions League Rivalries That Shaped European Football

Sabah Looks to Extend Its Winning Streak

Sabah faced KuPS in their most recent game. Sabah took control, with Veljko Simić and Joy-Lance Mickels each finding the net. On the other hand, KuPS was unable to score throughout the match. Ultimately, Sabah defeated KuPS in the second leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League. Additionally, Sabah will seek to maintain their winning momentum in the upcoming fixture.

Dinamo Zagreb’s Results Against Past Rivals

Dinamo Zagreb claimed a victory over Thun in the second leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League. Brighton Labeau and Marco Burki found the net for Thun. Additionally, Marco Burki received a red card for Thun. After half-time, Dion Drena Beljo, Lukas Kačavenda, and Moris Valinčić scored for Dinamo Zagreb.

Crvena Zvezda’s Form Heading into the Third Qualifying Round

Crvena Zvezda faced Larne in their most recent fixture. Aleksandar Katai, Marko Arnautović, Loizos Loizou, and Osman Bukari scored for Crvena Zvezda. On the other hand, Larne failed to score throughout the match. In the end, Crvena Zvezda defeated Larne in the second leg of the second qualifying round in the Champions League.

Games Schedules

Mjällby vs. Slovan Bratislava

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 12:00 p.m. ET | 09:00 a.m. PT | 09:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: Strandvallen, Hällevik.

Ararat-Armenia vs. Celje

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 12:00 p.m. ET | 09:00 a.m. PT | 09:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan.

H. Beer-Sheva vs. Crvena zvezda

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 01:30 p.m. ET | 10:30 a.m. PT | 11:00 p.m. IST.

Venue: Haladas Sportkomplexum, Szombathely.

Levski Sofia vs Kairat

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 01:30 p.m. ET | 10:30 a.m. PT | 11:00 p.m. IST.

Venue: Georgi Asparuhov, Sofia.

Dinamo Zagreb vs Kauno Žalgiris

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT | 11:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: Maksimir, Zagreb.

Sparta Praha vs. OL

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT | 11:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: EPET ARENA, Prague.

Union vs. Bodø/Glimt

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT | 11:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: KVDO Arena, Oostende (Ostend), Belgium.

Olympiacos vs NEC

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT | 11:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus.

AGF vs Sabah

Date: August 5, 2026 (Wednesday)

Time: 12:30 p.m. ET | 09:30 a.m. PT | 10:00 p.m. IST.

Venue: AutoC Park Randers, Randers.

Fenerbahçe vs Sturm Graz

Date: August 5, 2026 (Wednesday)

Time: 02:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT | 11:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul.

Selected Matches Previews

Mjällby vs. Slovan Bratislava

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 12:00 p.m. ET | 09:00 a.m. PT | 09:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: Strandvallen, Hällevik.

Projected Lineups for Mjällby

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Robin Wallinder, Melker Bo Love Ahlstrand, and Alexander Lundin
Defenders	Ludvig Svanberg, Martin Agnarsson Axel Norén, Abdullah Iqbal, Tom Pettersson, Ian Hoffman, Ludvig Tidstrand, Tony Miettinen, and Hjalmar Benny Lövquist
Midfielders	Viktor Gustafson, Teo Helge, Jeppe Jensen, Villiam Granath, Bork Bang-Kittilsen, Elliot Stroud, Abdoulie Manneh, Jesper Gustavsson, Áki Samuelsen, Max Nielsen, Per Lindberg, Romeo Arrhenius Leandersson, Isak Henry Andersen, and Charles Rosén
Forwards	Ali Youssef, Jacob Bergström, Olle Nilsson Löv, and Nils Elias Johnsson

Projected Lineups for Slovan Bratislava

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Aleksandar Popović, Dávid Balog, Matúš Macík, and Dominik Takáč
Defenders	Samuel Kozlovský, Kevin Wimmer, Kenan Bajrić, Svetozar Marković, Matúš Tomáško, Robert Tománek, Cesar Blackman, and Sandro Cruz
Midfielders	Peter Pokorný, Rahim Ibrahim, Artur Gajdoš, Tigran Barseghyan, Alen Mustafić, Leo Hofstädter, Cristian Martínez, Danylo Ihnatenko, and Daiki Matsuoka
Forwards	Mykola Kukharevych, Alasana Yirajang, Nino Marcelli, Manasse Kianga, Alexej Maroš, and Adam Griger

Previous Games

Mjällby has shown consistent performances throughout the campaign. In their most recent game, Mjällby played against Lincoln Red Imps. Mjällby dominated in the early lead through goals from Áki Samuelsen and Jacob Bergström. Meanwhile, Lincoln Red Imps were unable to score throughout the match. Ultimately, Mjällby defeated Lincoln Red Imps. In addition, Mjällby will face Slovan Bratislava at home and will aim to maintain their winning momentum in the upcoming matches.

Conversely, Slovan Bratislava faced Podbrezová in the Slovak Super Liga. Podbrezová tried several chances in the first half. Rahim Ibrahim and Alen Mustafić each found the net for Slovan Bratislava. Finally, Slovan Bratislava defeated Podbrezová in their most recent game. Moreover, the team will seek to put up a strong fight in their anticipated fixture.

The Pick: Mjällby

Levski Sofia vs Kairat

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 01:30 p.m. ET | 10:30 a.m. PT | 11:00 p.m. IST.

Venue: Georgi Asparuhov, Sofia.

Projected Lineups for Levski Sofia

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Ognian Vladimirov, Martin Lukov, and Svetoslav Vutsov
Defenders	Maicon, Christian Makoun, Álex Centelles, Aldair Neves, Nikola Serafimov, Stoyan Dobrev, Anton Todorov Manov, Hristo Argirov, and Kristian Dimitrov
Midfielders	Asen Mitkov, Gašper Trdin, El Mehdi El Moubarik, Mazire Soula, Ivo Motev, Serginho, Radostin Stoilov, Sasho Grancharov, and Akram Bouras
Forwards	Reinaldo, Juan Perea, Armstrong Oko-Flex, Mustapha Sangaré, Everton Bala, David Kusso, Stivan Stoyanchov, and Adrian Raychev

Projected Lineups for Kairat

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Temirlan Anarbekov, Danila Buch, and Sherhan Kalmurza
Defenders	Luís Mata, Damir Kassabulat, Lev Kurgin, Aleksandr Martynovich, Alexandr Mrynskiy, Alexandr Shirobokov, Adlan Nurgaliyev, Lucas Áfrico, and Daniyar Tashpulatov
Midfielders	Adilet Sadybekov, Olzhas Baibek, Jaakko Oksanen, Azamat Tuyakbayev, Oiva Jukkola, Yerkin Tapalov, Gustavo Mendonça, and Mukhamedali Abish
Forwards	Jorginho, Edmilson, Mansur Birkurmanov, Marc Gual, and Ismail Bekbolat

Previous Games

Levski Sofia is at the top of its domestic competition. Additionally, Levski Sofia currently sits in first place in the First Professional Football League standings. Furthermore, Levski Sofia will be looking to progress further in the UEFA Champions League this season.

By contrast, Kairat has maintained consistency in the domestic professional football league. Additionally, Kairat currently sits in second place in the Kazakhstan Premier League standings.

The Pick: Levski Sofia

Dinamo Zagreb vs Kauno Žalgiris

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT | 11:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: Maksimir, Zagreb.

Projected Lineups for Dinamo Zagreb

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Danijel Zagorac, Ivan Nevistić, and Ivan Filipović
Defenders	Bruno Goda, Stjepan Radeljić, Paul Tabinas, Niko Galešić, Matteo Perez Vinlöf, Moris Valinčić, Scott McKenna, Noa Mikić, Sergi Dominguez, Marko Zebić, and Krešimir Radoš
Midfielders	Luka Stojković, Miha Zajc, Gabriel Vidović, Josip Mišić, Sven Šunta, and Patrik Horvat
Forwards	Dion Beljo, Arbër Hoxha, Smail Prevljak, Mateo Lisica, Fran Topić, Lukas Kačavenda, and Mislav Oršić

Projected Lineups for Kauno Žalgiris

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Deividas Mikelionis and Tomas Švedkauskas
Defenders	Anton Tolordava, Luka Racic, Aldayr Hernandez, Marko Konatar, Nosa Edokpolor, Joris Moutachy, Lirim Kastrati, and Rokas Lekiatas
Midfielders	Amine Benchaib, Yukiyoshi Karashima, Gratas Sirgėdas, Vykintas Slivka, Léo Ribeiro, Ivan Fiolić, Franco Baldassarra, and Fabien Ourega
Forwards	Leon Kreković, Renan Oliveira, Motiejus Burba, and Haris Kadrić

Previous Games

In their most recent game, Dinamo Zagreb faced Slaven Belupo. Dinamo Zagreb took control with Dion Drena Beljo finding the net. On the other hand, Slaven Belupo was unable to score throughout the match. In the end, Dinamo Zagreb defeated Slaven Belupo. Furthermore, the team has home advantage and will look to earn another victory in the forthcoming matches. Dinamo Zagreb will aim to maintain their recent form in both domestic and European competitions.

In contrast, Kauno Žalgiris played against KÍ in the second leg of the second qualifying round in the UEFA Champions League. Kauno Žalgiris took control when Leon Krekovic found the net. Meanwhile, KÍ was unable to score throughout the match. Ultimately, Kauno Žalgiris defeated KÍ in their latest game. This team will be a tough contender over Dinamo Zagreb in the upcoming matches.

The Pick: Dinamo Zagreb

Union vs. Bodø/Glimt

Date: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT | 11:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: KVDO Arena, Oostende, Belgium.

Projected Lineups for Union

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Vic Chambaere and Keo Boets
Defenders	Kevin Mac Allister, Kamiel Van De Perre, Ross Sykes, Louis Patris, Massire Sylla, and Nikki Havenaar
Midfielders	Adem Zorgane, Rob Schoofs, Ousseynou Niang, Besfort Zeneli, Darius Olaru, and Relebohile Mofokeng
Forwards	Mohammed Fuseini, Mateo Biondic Guilherme Smith, Promise David, Kevin Rodriguez, Anan Khalaili, and Raul Florucz

Projected Lineups for Bodø/Glimt

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Julian Faye Lund and Nikita Haikin
Defenders	Villads Nielsen, Odin Bjørtuft, Haitam Aleesami, Jostein Gundersen, and Fredrik André Bjørkan
Midfielders	Patrick Berg, Sondre Auklend, Ulrik Saltnes, Joshua Kitolano, Sondre Brunstad Fet, Fredrik Sjøvold, Magnus Riisnæs, Håkon Evjen, and August Mikkelsen
Forwards	Andreas Helmersen, Jens Petter Hauge, Ole Didrik Blomberg, Ola Brynhildsen, Daniel Bassi, Isak Dybvik Määttä, and Mikkel Bro Hansen

Previous Games

Union secured its recent victory in the Belgian Super Cup. This victory marked another historic milestone in the club’s campaign. The team claimed its second Belgian Super Cup title by defeating Club Brugge in the final. Moreover, Union is on a winning streak and will aim to carry that momentum into the UEFA Champions League 2026-27 season. As a result, they will concentrate more on the upcoming matches.

Bodø/Glimt has shown consistent performances throughout the campaign. They currently sit in first position with 38 points in the Eliteserien standings. This team will give a tough challenge against Union.

The Pick: Union

Final Thoughts

This week, several clubs are showcasing their resilience and determination. Union, the Belgian Super Cup champions, will clash with Bodø/Glimt in the first leg of the third qualifying round. The remaining clubs will have another opportunity to earn a place in the next round of the UEFA Champions League. The competition will continue to eliminate teams until one club is crowned UEFA Champions League champions this season.