Football fans can expect fresh excitement in this season’s UEFA Champions League as four debutant clubs seal historic qualifications ahead of Thursday’s league-phase draw.
Among the newcomers are Pafos FC of Cyprus and Norway’s Bodo/Glimt, two sides whose journeys to Europe’s top stage have captured attention across the continent.
For Pafos, founded only in 2014, the qualification is a remarkable rise. The Cypriot club eliminated Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade, advancing 3-2 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in the second leg. The achievement sparked wild celebrations, with Pafos becoming one of the youngest clubs ever to reach the Champions League proper.
Bodo/Glimt, Norway’s emerging powerhouse, also secured their maiden ticket with a commanding 6-2 aggregate victory over Austria’s Sturm Graz. Despite losing the second leg 2-1, their first-leg dominance ensured safe passage to the group stage.
They will be joined by Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium, continuing their renaissance in European football, and Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan, who shocked Scottish champions Celtic in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Kairat’s triumph marks a milestone for Kazakh football, making them only the second club from the nation to feature in the Champions League, following Astana’s breakthrough in 2015.
The draw for the 2025/26 Champions League league phase will take place on Thursday, setting the stage for another historic season filled with fresh narratives and underdog stories.
