UEFA Conference League Qualifying
| Date | R | Home v Away | - |
|---|
Teams
KuPS Kuopio
Gent
Basel
Rigas FS
MSK Zilina
FC Copenhagen
Bodo/Glimt
Istanbul Basaksehir
Shkendija Tetovo
Legia Warsaw
T.N.S.
Rosenborg
CS U Craiova
AZ
Rapid Vienna
Levski Sofia
Lech Poznan
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
Brondby
Anderlecht
BK Hacken
Elfsborg
Hammarby
FK Austria Vienna
St Gallen
Lucerne
Viking FK
Dinamo Minsk
Suduva Marijampole
Connah's Quay
Newtown
HJK Helsinki
Sivasspor
Young Boys
AIK
Club Brugge
Lechia Gdansk
Lillestrom
Tromso
Servette
Shakhter Soligorsk
AGF Aarhus
Zalaegerszegi TE
Union Berlin
FC Haka
VPS Vaasa
Siroki Brijeg
Sparta Prague
Go Ahead Eagles
West Ham
Wikipedia - UEFA Conference League
The UEFA Conference League (previously known as the UEFA Europa Conference League), abbreviated as UECL, is an annual football competition organised since 2021 by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for eligible European football clubs. It is the third tier of continental club football in Europe, behind the second-tier Europa League, and the first-tier Champions League.
Introduced in 2021 as the UEFA Europa Conference League, the competition was initially intended as the bottom level of the Europa League. The competition is primarily contested by teams from lower-ranked UEFA member associations. No teams qualify directly for the league phase: instead the teams eliminated in the Europa League play-off round qualify, with the rest coming from the Conference League qualifying and play-off rounds. The winners of the competition qualify for the following season's Europa League, unless they also qualify for the Champions League via their domestic league position.
From the 2024–25 season, the competition was rebranded to the UEFA Conference League, and the group stage was replaced with an expanded league phase.
Roma were the inaugural winners of the competition, having beaten Feyenoord 1–0 in the 2022 final. The current holder of the title is Olympiacos.
History
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Roma |
| 2022–23 | West Ham United |
| 2023–24 | Olympiacos |
UEFA had reportedly considered adding a third-tier competition since at least 2015, believing that a bottom-level tournament could act as a means of giving clubs from lower-ranked UEFA member countries a chance of progressing beyond their customary elimination from the Champions League and Europa League. In mid-2018, talk of an announcement intensified, with news sources claiming an agreement had already been reached for the competition to be launched and that the 48-team Europa League group stage would be split in two, with the lower half forming the nucleus of what would be the new event.
On 2 December 2018, UEFA announced that the competition – provisionally known as "Europa League 2" or just "UEL2" – was to be launched as part of the 2021–24 three-year competition cycle, with UEFA adding that the new tournament would bring "more matches for more clubs and more associations".
The original official name of the competition, "UEFA Europa Conference League", was announced on 24 September 2019.
On 24 May 2021, UEFA revealed the competition's trophy and brand identity. The Europa Conference League Trophy stands 57.5 cm (22.6 in) tall and weighs 11 kg (24 lb).
The first goal in the then-named Europa Conference League qualifiers was scored on 6 July 2021 by Mosta player Evo Chris in a 2021–22 qualifying round match against Spartak Trnava. The first goal in the then-named Europa Conference League group stage was scored on 14 September 2021 by Maccabi Tel Aviv player Stipe Perica in a 2021–22 group stage match against Alashkert. On 30 September 2021, the competition's first hat-trick was scored by Harry Kane for Tottenham Hotspur in a group stage match against NS Mura. Kane came on as a 59th minute substitute at 2–1 before scoring three goals within 20 minutes of each other to finish off the game (5–1).
On 5 May 2022, Feyenoord and Roma became the first teams ever to reach the Europa Conference League final, ending with Roma being crowned the inaugural champions.
On 3 November 2022, West Ham United became the first side to win all six of their Europa Conference League group stage matches, picking up wins against FCSB, Silkeborg and Anderlecht. They went on to win the competition by defeating Fiorentina 2–1 in the 2023 final, in the process becoming the first side to finish the competition undefeated, with 12 wins and one draw.
On 28 June 2023, UEFA announced that the competition would be renamed to the UEFA Conference League from the 2024–25 season onwards. According to UEFA, removing 'Europa' from the name of the competition would enable further development as a stand-alone competition in their research amongst fans and commercial partners. In the same season, the 32-team group stage was replaced with a 36-team league phase, in line with similar changes made to the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
In the 2024 final, Olympiacos beat Fiorentina 1–0, becoming the first Greek club to win a major European competition.
The UEFA Conference League Qualifying is an exciting and competitive tournament that serves as the gateway for clubs across Europe to participate in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Established to provide a platform for teams from lower-ranked leagues and those seeking European glory, this tournament showcases the passion and talent of clubs from diverse footballing backgrounds.
**Format and Structure:**
The qualifying rounds consist of multiple stages, including preliminary rounds, first qualifying round, second qualifying round, and playoff rounds. Teams are drawn into matchups, with each tie played over two legs, home and away. The aggregate score determines which teams advance to the next round, culminating in a final playoff round that secures a coveted spot in the group stage of the UEFA Conference League.
**Participating Teams:**
Clubs from various UEFA member associations participate, ranging from established teams with rich histories to emerging clubs eager to make their mark on the European stage. This tournament not only provides a chance for underdog stories but also allows fans to witness thrilling matchups between teams that may not typically compete at this level.
**Significance:**
The UEFA Conference League Qualifying is more than just a series of matches; it represents hope and ambition for clubs aiming to elevate their status in European football. Success in this tournament can lead to increased visibility, financial rewards, and the opportunity to compete against some of the continent's best teams in the group stage of the UEFA Conference League.
**Fan Engagement:**
Fans play a crucial role in the atmosphere of the tournament, with passionate support creating an electric environment in stadiums across Europe. The tournament fosters a sense of community and pride, as local clubs strive to achieve their dreams on the international stage.
Join us for the UEFA Conference League Qualifying, where every match is a battle for glory, and every goal could be the key to unlocking a historic journey in European football!