The list of potential opponents for Azerbaijan’s Europa League representative in the first qualifying round is beginning to take shape.
7 of the 16 participating teams in the opening stage have already been confirmed. Depending on the outcome of the Azerbaijan Cup final, either Sabah or Zira will earn a spot in the competition, Idman.biz reports.
If Sabah wins the cup, they will advance to the Europa League; if Qarabag lifts the trophy, the place will go to Zira.
Regardless of which Baku-based club qualifies, Azerbaijan's representative will be unseeded in the draw, meaning a tough opponent is almost certain.
Three of the eight seeded teams are already known: Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Legia Warsaw (Poland), and CFR Cluj (Romania). Meanwhile, some potentially easier sides such as Celje (Slovenia), Paksi (Hungary), and Spartak Trnava (Slovakia) may also end up seeded, though their status remains unconfirmed.
Europa League 2025/26
First Qualifying Round
Seeded teams (confirmed):
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
Legia Warsaw (Poland)
CFR Cluj (Romania)
Unseeded teams (confirmed):
Aktobe (Kazakhstan)
Azerbaijan representative (Sabah or Zira)
Kosovo club
Teams with unclear status:
Celje (Slovenia)
Spartak Trnava (Slovakia)
Paksi (Hungary)
Clubs from Serbia, Israel, Cyprus, Sweden, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Moldova
The draw for the first qualifying round will take place on June 17, followed by the second-round draw on June 18.
Vugar Kheyrullayev
Idman.biz
