KuPS begin Champions League campaign in North Macedonia while Finnish teams learn European opponents

KuPS will aim to equal or better their performance from last season, when they reached the second qualifying round before eventually progressing to the knockout stage of the UEFA Conference League (UECL).

To achieve this, they must overcome a Vardar side that claimed the Macedonian title in 2026, their first league championship since 2020. The club from the capital, Skopje, have previously featured in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage and were eliminated during UECL qualifying last season.

The away leg is scheduled for 7th or 8th July, with the return match in Kuopio on 14th or 15th July. The winner of this tie will face either Sabah of Azerbaijan or The New Saints of Wales in the second qualifying round, while the losing side drops into UEL qualification.

Three Finnish clubs discover Conference League opponents

The other three Finnish teams taking part in European competition this year have learned their opponents in UECL qualifying.

In the first qualifying round, Ilves will travel to Luxembourg to face Differdange, while Inter Turku head to Bosnia and Herzegovina for a meeting with Sarajevo. Both Veikkausliiga sides play the first legs away on 9th July, with the home fixtures on 16th July.

If the Tampere club advances, they will then face either Dila Gori of Georgia or Virtus of San Marino in the second qualifying round, whereas a tough test against Istanbul Basaksehir awaits FC Inter or Sarajevo.

Starting their campaign in the second qualifying round are HJK, who will play the first leg at home against Northern Irish side Coleraine. These second qualifying round ties are set for 23rd and 30th July.

The draw for the third qualifying round will take place on 20th July.