Overview
- UEFA has drawn the third qualifying round pairings after the second-leg results, separating ties into the Champions Path for domestic winners and the League Path for non-champions from stronger leagues.
- Notable third-round fixtures include Dinamo Zagreb v Kauno Žalgiris in the Champions Path and Olympiacos v NEC Nijmegen, Fenerbahçe v Sturm Graz, and Sparta Prague v Lyon in the League Path.
- Clubs will play two-legged third-round ties in early and mid‑August, with the play-off (Q4) ties scheduled for later in August to decide who reaches the group stage.
- Ukrainian champion Shakhtar Donetsk has been confirmed a direct place in the Champions League group stage, which changes the allocation of qualifying slots for other clubs.
- The drawn schedule gives national federations and clubs a clear calendar and travel plan for August while the season remains set to conclude with the final at Madrid’s Metropolitano on 5 June 2027.