Universitatea Craiova is making strides in European football this season after a successful start. The Romanian champions convincingly defeated Vitebsk with an aggregate score of 5-1 (4-1 and 1-0), securing their place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, where they will face Levski Sofia.
Before the matches against the Bulgarians, scheduled for July 22 and 29, Craiova will learn today which team they could potentially meet in the third qualifying round if they overcome Levski Sofia.
The draw for the third qualifying round of the Champions League will begin at 13:00 and will be available on the official UEFA website as well as in a liveTEXT format on GSP.ro.
Potential Opponents for Universitatea Craiova in the Third Qualifying Round
The Superliga champions will enter the draw with a UEFA coefficient of 10.500, meaning they will not be a seeded team and will face a tough opponent.
In this draw, Craiova is paired with Levski Sofia, and the winner of this matchup will face one of the seeded teams. Universitatea Craiova is placed in the second pot for this draw.
- Larne (Northern Ireland) – Red Star Belgrade (Serbia)
- FC Thun (Switzerland) – Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
- Iberia 1999 (Georgia) – Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)
- AGF Aarhus (Denmark) – Lech Poznań (Poland)
- Egnatia (Albania) – Celje (Slovenia)
- Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus) – Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Timing for Universitatea Craiova’s Third Round Matches
Should they advance, the team coached by Filipe Coelho will play the third qualifying round matches on August 4 or 5, 2026, with the return leg scheduled for August 11, 2026.
Advancing further, qualification for the main phase of the Champions League will be determined in the playoff round.
The Champions League playoff draw is set for August 3, 2026. The first leg matches will take place on August 18 and 19, with the return legs on August 25 and 26.
Possible Europa League Matches if Eliminated
If Universitatea Craiova is defeated by Levski Sofia, they will continue to the third qualifying round of the Europa League. The draw for this phase is also scheduled for today at 14:00.
In contrast to the Champions League draw, Craiova will benefit from a lower coefficient of 7.000, making them a seeded team in the champions’ route.
If eliminated by Levski, Universitatea Craiova could face one of the following teams, all of which are losers from the second qualifying round of the Champions League:
- Loser between Dinamo Zagreb – FC Thun
- Loser between KuPS – Sabah
- Loser between KI Klaksvik – Kauno Zalgiris
- Loser between Lincoln Red Imps – Mjallby
- Loser between Slovan Bratislava – Iberia 1999
- Loser between Celje – Egnatia
Strong Start to the Season for Romania’s Champions
Universitatea Craiova has begun the season impressively. Besides qualifying for the second round of the Champions League, following a 5-1 aggregate against Vitebsk, the team has already claimed the Romanian Supercup, winning it on penalties against U Cluj.
Today, from Nyon, the team will learn both the path they could take towards the main phase of the Champions League and the alternative route in the Europa League, should they fall to Levski Sofia.
