Conference League 2025/26

UEFA Conference League 2025/26

Cliftonville will return to Europe this summer when the Club competes in the UEFA Conference League and, as ever, cliftonvillefc.net is delighted to present the web’s most detailed guide to our full list of potential first qualifying round opponents.

The information below is the most accurate update as per the time of publication and is subject to continual amendment as the various domestic Leagues and Cup competitions across Europe reach their conclusions, which can sometimes have a knock-on effect regarding certain nations’ seeding stature.

Supporters are advised to make regular checks to this section, which will be periodically updated to reflect the latest standings, thus bringing a clearer picture as to the identity of Cliftonville’s European opponents.

What round will Cliftonville enter the competition at?
Cliftonville will enter the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League at the first qualifying phase.

When is the draw?
The draw for the first qualifying round will take place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Tuesday, June 17, with the draw for the second qualifying round taking place at the same venue on Wednesday, June 18.

Will Cliftonville be Seeded or Unseeded for the draw?
Cliftonville’s UEFA Coefficient of 2.500 means we will be Unseeded for the draw.

Will the draw be regionalised?
UEFA will divide the teams into geographically-linked pots just before the draw takes place, however the arbitrary nature of the process means no potential opponents can be ruled out until virtually the last minute.

When will the matches be played?
The first and second legs of the first qualifying round are currently scheduled for July 10 and 17 respectively, however these dates remain subject to change and supporters are warned against making any travel arrangements until advised to do so by the Club.

When and where is the Final?
Wow, you’re optimistic! The 2025/26 UEFA Conference League Final will be played on May 27, 2026 at The Red Bull Arena in the German city of Leipzig – to where there are, unfortunately, no direct flights from Belfast.


First qualifying round

First leg: Thursday, July 10; Second leg: Thursday, July 17

Seeded teams

Borac (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Dudelange (Luxembourg)
Decic (Montenegro)
Dila Gori (Georgia)
Flora (Estonia)
Floriana (Malta)
HJK (Finland)

Kauno Zalgiris (Lithuania)
KI (Faroe Islands)
Koper (Slovenia)
La Fiorita (San Marino)
Larne
Ordabasy (Kazakhstan)
Paide (Estonia)

Partizani (Albania)
Petrocub (Moldova)
Pyunik (Armenia)
Shamrock Rovers (Ireland)
St Joseph’s (Gibraltar)
St Patrick’s Athletic (Ireland)
Sutjeska (Montenegro)

Torpedo Zhodino (Belarus)
Urartu (Armenia)
Vllaznia (Albania)
Vikingur (Iceland)

Unseeded teams

Atletic Club e’Escaldes (Andorra)
Auda (Latvia)
Birkirkara (Malta)
Calpe City Magpies (Gibraltar)
Cliftonville
Daugavpils (Latvia)
Dinamo City (Albania)

Dynamo Brest (Belarus)
Haverfordest County (Wales)
Hegelmann (Lithuania)
Malisheva (Kosovo)
Neman Grodno (Belarus)
Nomme Kalju (Estonia)
NSI (Faroe Islands)

Penybont (Wales)
Rabotnicki (Macedonia)
Racing Union (Luxembourg)
Santa Coloma (Andorra)
Sileks (Macedonia)
SJK (Finland)
Torpedo Kutaisi (Georgia)

Tre Fiori (San Marino)
Valur (Iceland)
Vardar (Macedonia)
Zeljeznicar (Bosnia-Herzegovina)