Champions League play-off draw preparations and qualification updates

The draw for the UEFA Champions League play-off round is scheduled for August 3 at 13:00 in Nyon, following the conclusion of the second qualifying round. UEFA media consultant Andreas Dimatos confirmed that once the current second-round matches conclude, the six pairs for the third qualifying round will be finalized. These winners will join direct entrants Celtic, AEK Athens, LASK, and Viking in the play-offs.

Recent match results have significantly impacted the seeding process. Dinamo Zagreb secured a 3-2 victory against Thun after extra time, while Slovan Bratislava, Red Star Belgrade, and Lech Poznan achieved convincing wins in their respective first-leg matches. These outcomes have reduced the likelihood of AEK Athens entering the play-off draw as a seeded team. Consequently, the possibility of a match-up between AEK Athens and Omonia Nicosia is considered highly improbable based on the current competitive trajectory.

In the League Path, seeded teams include Lyon, set to face Sparta Prague, and Bodo/Glimt, playing against Union Saint-Gilloise. Unseeded teams in this path include Olympiacos and the victor of the Fenerbahce-Sturm or Hearts match. The competition structure continues to evolve as remaining second-leg matches are played to determine the final bracket composition.