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.
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.