Champions League 2026-27 First Qualifying Round: Schedule
The UEFA Champions League 2026-27 season will begin with the qualifying rounds. Furthermore, the first leg of the qualifying round promises an exciting start to the new season for supporters. The winners of the qualifying rounds will advance to the next round. Nevertheless, several notable players are expected to deliver standout performances during the new Champions League season.
Rron Broja, Igball Jashari, Vesel Limaj, Liridon Balaj, Albert Dabiqaj, and Wiliam Baeten
Forwards
Arb Manaj, Oniks Grezda, Blerim Krasniqi, Kristal Abazaj, Kemehlo Nguena, and Mike Arthur
Previous Rivalries
Kauno Žalgiris is one of the top clubs in the A Lyga competition. The team currently sits fourth in the 2026 A-League standings. Meanwhile, Kauno Žalgiris defeated BFA in the quarter-final of the Lithuanian Football Cup. They are advancing to the semi-final of the Lithuanian Football Cup.
By contrast, Drita has consistent performances throughout the football Superleague of Kosovo. They topped the 2025-26 Football Superleague of Kosovo standings. Now, the team will compete in the upcoming UEFA Champions League.
The Pick: Kauno Žalgiris
Lincoln Red Imps vs. Inter d’Escaldes
Date: July 07, 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET | 09:00 a.m. PT | 09:30 p.m. IST
Venue: Europa Sports Complex, Gibraltar.
Expected Lineups for Lincoln Red Imps
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Nauzet Santana, Jaylan Hankins, and Mark Pieter Hamm
Defenders
Ethan Jolley, Christian Rutjens, Gabri Cardozo, Bernardo Lopes, Ethan Britto, and Julliani Giowani Eersteling
Midfielders
Nicolas Sellassie Clara Pinto, Mandi, Toni, Graeme Torrilla, and Joe
Forwards
Lee Casciaro, Kike Gómez, Alejandro Miguel Mula Sanchez, Yussef Flalhi Idrissi, Nano, Facundo Alvarez, Manuel Toledano Ortiz, and Ruben Garcia Flores
Expected Lineups for Inter d’Escaldes
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Juan David Terradez Becerra, and Javi Díaz
Defenders
Anwar Habib Hernández Martínez, Jilmar Torres, Alex Sanchez, Jaouad Erraji Berroug, Adrian Da Cunha, Marc Rodriguez, Maurizio Pochettino, and Pol Cabanes Delanssays
Midfielders
Víctor Alonso, Juan Cámara, David López, Antonio Islam Otegui Khalfi, Pablo Molina, and Mamadoulamine Diaby Dabo
Forwards
Faysal Chouaib, Domi Berlanga, Antoni Paredes García, Alex Prelado Leitao, and Borja Arellano Monedero
Previous Rivalries
Lincoln Red Imps defeated Lynx, reflecting the team’s strong form throughout the season. Furthermore, the team has strong form in both defense and attack, and will aim to make it another win in the upcoming fixture.
Inter d’Escaldes suffered a 2-1 defeat to Carroi in their most recent match. However, they delivered an inconsistent performance in their previous match.
The Pick: Lincoln Red Imps
Ararat-Armenia vs. Riga
Date: July 07, 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET | 09:00 a.m. PT | 09:30 p.m. IST
Venue: Abovyan City Stadium, Abovyan.
Expected Lineups for Ararat-Armenia
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Arman Nersesyan, and João Victor Donna Bravim
Defenders
Hugo Oliveira, Junior Bueno, Luis Felipe, Kamo Hovhannisyan, Bruno Pereira, Edgar Grigoryan, Bruno Wilson, and Alexandros Malis
Midfielders
Mishel Ayvazyan, Armen Ambartsumyan, Zidane Banjaqui, Maxence Carlier, Karen Muradyan, Alwyn Tera, Artur Serobyan, and Carlos Henrique Franca Freires
Forwards
Zhirayr Shaghoyan, Arayik Eloyan, Alioune Ndour, Paul Ayongo, and Sandro Lima
Expected Lineups for Riga
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Krišjānis Zviedris, and Frenks Orols
Defenders
Karl Wassom, Raivis Jurkovskis, Andrés Salazar, Baba Musah, Maksims Toņiševs, Paulo Eduardo, and Antonijs Černomordijs
Midfielders
Orlando Galo, Raki Aouani, Iago Siqueira, Brian Peña, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Meissa Diop, Ahmed Ankrah, Juan Christian Pereira Coelho, and Martins Caio Ferreira
Forwards
Reginaldo Ramires, Muhammed Badamosi, and Abdulrahman Taiwo
Previous Rivalries
Ararat-Armenia delivered an inconsistent campaign last season. The team experienced a mix of successes and failures throughout the previous season. Nevertheless, Ararat-Armenia will look to bounce back and put up a tough fight in the upcoming Champions League match.
In contrast, Riga currently sits second in the 2026 Latvian Higher League standings. Riga will aim to continue its winning streak in the upcoming match.
The Pick: Riga
FK Vardar vs KuPS
Date: July 07, 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 01:00 p.m. ET| 10:00 a.m. PT| 10:30 p.m. IST
Venue: Toše Proeski Arena, Skopje.
Expected Lineups for FK Vardar
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Daniel Dikovski and Davor Taleski
Defenders
Mihail Manevski, Mislav Matić, Filip Najdovski, Darko Velkovski, Nenad Miskovski, and Georgije Jankulov
Midfielders
David Babunski, Boban Nikolov, Goran Zakarić, Dimitar Todorovski, Filip Duranski, Miguel Pires, and Nemanja Bosančič
Forwards
Gerson Rodrigues, Azer Omeragikj, Ediz Spahiu, Diego Casteneda, Ian Puleio, Dimitar Danev, and Joaquin Eduardo Torres
Expected Lineups for KuPS
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Johannes Kreidl, Hemmo Riihimäki, and Kasperi Silen
Defenders
Karl Ward, Kasim Nuhu, Arttu Lötjönen, Bob Nii Armah, Clinton Antwi, Brahima Magassa, and Taneli Hämäläinen
Midfielders
Saku Heiskanen, Petteri Pennanen, Valentin Gasc, Niilo Kujasalo, Tommi Jyry, Calvin Kabuye, Aaro Toivonen, and Akseli Puukko
Forwards
Saku Savolainen, Gustav Engvall, Jaime Jose Moreno Ciorciari, Arttu Heinonen, Piotr Parzyszek, Joslyn Luyeye-Lutumba, and Saikou Touray
Previous Rivalries
FK Vardar defeated Shkëndija 3-0 in the Macedonian First Football League. Moreover, the team has maintained a consistent form throughout the league campaign. FK Vardar will aim to record another victory in the upcoming match.
Conversely, KuPS has delivered consistent performances throughout the Veikkausliiga campaign. KuPS will look to put up a strong fight against FK Vardar in the upcoming fixture.
The Pick: FK Vardar
Conclusion
Fans are eager to see each club make an impact during its UEFA Champions League campaign. In particular, the first qualifying rounds will feature impressive performances from top-tier clubs.