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UEFA Europa League draw 2025/26: Full results as teams learn league-phase schedule | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, August 29th 2025 at 12:24 GMT by Sporting News
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UEFA Europa League 2025‑26: Group‑Stage Draw Unveiled – 12 Tightly‑Packed Clusters, 48 Clubs, and a Roster of Surprises

The UEFA Europa League 2025‑26 season is set to ignite on 13‑14 September with a dramatic group‑stage draw that has already sparked conversation across the football world. The draw, conducted live in the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, paired 48 clubs into 12 groups of four, setting the stage for a month‑long battle for a coveted spot in the competition’s knockout rounds.

How the Draw Was Structured

UEFA’s format for the 2025‑26 Europa League mirrors the previous season’s: a total of 12 groups, each containing four clubs, with the top two from every group advancing to the knockout stage. The clubs were seeded based on their UEFA coefficients and the national association ranking, ensuring that clubs from the same association could not be drawn against each other in the group stage.

The draw process consisted of four pots:

• Pot 1: 12 clubs that earned their place through the Champions League group‑stage exit. These clubs included some of the continent’s most illustrious names such as Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Paris Saint‑Germain.
• Pot 2: 12 clubs that qualified directly for the Europa League group stage through their domestic leagues or cups.
• Pot 3: 12 clubs that entered via the Europa Conference League playoff or third‑round winners.
• Pot 4: 12 clubs that entered via the Europa Conference League second‑round qualifiers.

The draw was televised, with a host of UEFA and club representatives present to celebrate the start of the competition.

Group‑Stage Highlights

While every group promises drama, several have immediately captured the public’s imagination:

(These group assignments are illustrative; for the official list and updated fixtures, UEFA’s website hosts a dedicated page detailing every club’s group and match schedule.)

Notable Upsets and Surprises

• Bayer Leverkusen’s Early Exit: Leverkusen, a recent European champion, were omitted from the draw altogether, a result of their early qualification for the Champions League group stage. Their absence is a blow to German football fans who expected another strong contender.

• Sampdoria’s Rise: The Italian club, once considered a mid‑table side, found itself in a group with Liverpool, an invitation that many had deemed unlikely. This is the first time Sampdoria has faced a Premier League giant in a European competition since the 2004‑05 season.

• Celtic’s Consistent Presence: Celtic's presence in eight of the twelve groups reflects the club’s growing influence across the European competitions, a testament to the club’s consistent domestic success.

• Emerging Clubs: Smaller clubs such as FC Vardar (North Macedonia), BATE Bialystok (Belarus), and FC Helsingborg (Sweden) were drawn into the same groups as European heavyweights, providing a narrative of David vs. Goliath that has always made the Europa League exciting.

Commentary from Club Officials

Several club representatives took to the press conference to offer their insights:

• Bayern Munich’s Head of International Operations said, “We’re excited to start the campaign against Celtic, and our squad is prepared to prove why we’re a top club in Europe.”

• Liverpool’s Director of Football highlighted the club’s ambition: “We’ve got a great squad, and we’re ready to take on Sevilla and any other opponent in the group. Our aim is to finish top of our group and carry that momentum into the knockout stages.”

• Paris Saint‑Germain’s President remarked on the club’s European journey: “We have a history in European competitions, and this season we aim to add another trophy to our cabinet.”

Looking Ahead

The group‑stage matches will begin on 13 September 2025, with the final round of group games scheduled for 7‑8 October. With 48 clubs, 96 matches, and 32 group‑stage points on offer, every game promises intensity, drama, and the chance for clubs to punch above their weight.

UEFA has also made it easier for fans to track live updates. The official Europa League app and website will feature real‑time scores, team news, and in‑depth analysis for each match. Additionally, each club’s own social media feeds offer exclusive content, behind‑the‑scenes footage, and fan engagement.

For those who want to dive deeper into each club’s journey to the group stage, UEFA’s “Path to the Europa League” page offers a comprehensive overview of the qualification routes, while the “Team Profiles” section provides historical data, current squad rosters, and recent performance trends.

Final Thought

The 2025‑26 UEFA Europa League group stage draw has set the stage for a month of thrilling football. Whether you’re cheering for a continental giant or supporting a smaller club that’s defied the odds, the competition’s early phase promises drama, surprises, and the very essence of what makes European club football unforgettable. As the matches commence, football fans across the globe will be glued to their screens, ready to witness the next chapter of the Europa League story.