The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League will welcome three debutants in its new league-phase format:
- Pafos FC (Cyprus)
- Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan)
- FK Bodø/Glimt (Norway)
The final list of qualified teams will be confirmed this Wednesday (27), ahead of Thursday’s official draw.
Historic Debut for Three Clubs
The revamped Champions League league phase will feature 36 clubs. For the first time ever, Pafos FC, Kairat and Bodø/Glimt have made it through qualifying to Europe’s top-tier competition.
The official draw takes place on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 1:00 p.m. (Brasília time). So far, 32 teams have already secured their spots.
How Pafos FC Qualified
- Qualifying campaign: 6 matches, 4 wins, 2 draws
- Key victories: Eliminated Crvena Zvezda, Dynamo Kyiv, and Maccabi Tel Aviv
- Domestic success: Won the Cypriot First Division (Kategoria) last season and reached the Cyprus Cup and Super Cup finals.
Kairat Almaty’s Path
- Qualifying campaign: 8 matches (3 wins, 3 draws, 2 defeats)
- Highlights: Beat Olimpija Ljubljana, KuPS, and Slovan Bratislava; drew both legs against Celtic before winning on penalties
- Domestic form: Premier League champions in Kazakhstan; quarterfinalists in the Kazakhstan Cup.
Bodø/Glimt’s Journey
- Playoff round: Lost 2-1 away to Sturm Graz but advanced 6-2 on aggregate
- Domestic success: Won the 2024 Eliteserien, Norway’s top division
This marks a significant milestone for Norwegian football as Bodø/Glimt joins the elite of European football for the first time.
