Benfica's potential opponents: the road to the Champions League

Benfica already knows the list of possible opponents in the third qualifying round for the 2025/26 Champions League group stage. The draw will take place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Monday, July 21 (11:00 am).

Second place in the 2024/25 Liga Betclic puts Benfica on track for the qualifying rounds for the 2025/26 Champions League group stage, where it will have to navigate a qualification path. The Reds will enter the draw for the third qualifying round as a seeded team.

With a coefficient of 87,750 points, Benfica could face Nice (France), Fenerbahçe (Turkey), the winner of Viktoria Plzen-Servette, or the winner of Brann-Salzburg, in the second qualifying round, which is yet to be played.

In Monday's draw, Benfica will be joined by Feyenoord (Netherlands) and Club Brugge (Belgium) as seeded teams, as well as Rangers (Scotland)/Panathinaikos (Greece), who will face each other in the second qualifying round.

The third qualifying round for the Champions League group stage will be played on August 5/6 (first leg) and August 12 (second leg).

If they qualify, Benfica will play in the play-off on August 19/20 (first leg) and August 26/27 (second leg).

IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

• July 21: draw for the third qualifying round

• July 22/23 and 29/30: second qualifying round matches

• August 4: playoff draw

• August 5/6 and 12: third qualifying round matches

• August 19/20 and 26/27: playoff matches

• August 28: league phase draw

• September 16 to 18: matches of matchday 1 of the league phase