Champions League Qualifiers Underway as Teams Fight for League Phase Spots

The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League is already underway, with clubs from across Europe fighting for the final seven places in the league phase.

While 29 teams have qualified directly, the remaining contenders must progress through several two-legged qualifying rounds before the play-offs conclude in August.

Here are three teams to watch as the battle for Champions League football intensifies.

Fenerbahçe are one of the biggest names involved in the early rounds.

The Turkish giants have not reached the main stage of the Champions League since the 2008/09 season, despite making several qualifying appearances during that period.

With a huge fan base and high expectations, another early European exit would represent a major disappointment.

Supporters following their campaign can find the latest Champions League odds alongside other European football markets.

Crvena Zvezda enter the qualifiers with more European history than most of their opponents.

The Serbian club are former European champions and remain difficult to face, particularly at their famously intense home ground in Belgrade.

Their experience of navigating European qualifying rounds could prove important as the pressure increases and the margins between success and elimination become smaller.

Ugandan attention will also be focused on Finland, where Uganda Cranes forward Calvin Kabuye is part of the KuPS squad.

For Kabuye and his teammates, reaching the Champions League league phase would be a historic achievement.

KuPS may not have the financial strength or European reputation of Fenerbahçe and Crvena Zvezda, but qualifying often creates opportunities for less-fancied clubs to surprise more established opponents.

The two-legged format means momentum can change quickly, making the return fixtures particularly important for fans following the games through live football betting.

The qualifying campaign continues through July and August, followed by the decisive play-off round.

Only seven teams will complete the journey and join Europe’s biggest clubs in the league phase.

For Fenerbahçe, Crvena Zvezda, KuPS and the other contenders, every match now carries consequences that could shape their entire season.