Champions League Second Round Fixtures July 2026
The Champions League 2026-27 second qualifying round begins July 9, 2026, with 16 clubs competing for eight spots in the third qualifying round. The first leg matches take place on July 9-10, with the second leg matches on July 16-17. The winners advance to the third round, where they will face teams dropping down from the Champions League third qualifying round.
The standout tie of the round is Celtic vs Bodo Glimt, a showdown between two clubs who have built reputations for causing upsets in recent years. The Scottish champions host the first leg at Celtic Park on July 9, with the second leg in Norway on July 16. Both teams are domestic champions and have recent experience in European group stages.
Fenerbahce vs Dinamo Zagreb is another blockbuster tie, bringing together Turkish and Croatian champions who both have Champions League pedigree. The first leg is in Istanbul on July 10, with the return in Zagreb on July 17. Both clubs spent heavily in the summer transfer window to ensure they qualify for the group stage.
Molde vs Viktoria Plzen completes the trio of headline fixtures. The Norwegian champions host the first leg on July 9, with the second leg in the Czech Republic on July 16. Molde have been European regulars under manager Erling Moe, while Viktoria Plzen are looking to return to the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2022-23.
Live scores and match updates for every Champions League qualifying match are available on iscore.ai, bringing you the action as it happens across Europe.
Celtic vs Bodo Glimt Preview and Prediction
Celtic face Bodo Glimt in the tie of the Champions League second qualifying round, with the first leg at Celtic Park on July 9. The Scottish champions are favorites at 1.73 to advance, but Bodo Glimt have proven repeatedly that they cannot be underestimated in European competition.
Celtic come into the tie in excellent form under new manager Brendan Rodgers, who returned for a second spell in the summer. The Hoops won the Scottish Premiership by 15 points and have added quality to their squad, including the signing of 24-year-old Portuguese winger Francisco Trincao for 12 million euros. Kyogo Furuhashi has been the standout performer, scoring 32 goals in all competitions last season.
Bodo Glimt are the Norwegian champions for the fourth consecutive season and have established themselves as one of Europe's most dangerous lower-budget clubs. Under manager Kjetil Knutsen, they play an aggressive 4-3-3 system that overwhelms opponents with intensity and pressing. Their squad is built around Norwegian talent, with 21-year-old forward Amahl Pellegrino scoring 28 goals last season.
Bodo Glimt's recent European record is impressive. They beat Roma home and away in the 2022-23 Europa Conference League knockout stage and eliminated AZ Alkmaar from the Europa League last season. Their home advantage in Norway is significant, with temperatures and pitch conditions that can unsettle visitors.
The first leg at Celtic Park will be played in front of 60,000 fans, with a passionate atmosphere that should inspire Rodgers' team. Celtic will look to take a lead to Norway, but they know Bodo Glimt are capable of scoring away from home. The Norwegian side averaged 2.3 goals per game in European competition last season.
Prediction: Celtic 3-2 on aggregate. The first leg at Celtic Park will be decisive, with Celtic winning 2-1. Bodo Glimt will win 1-0 in Norway, but Celtic's away goal will be the difference. Expect goals in both legs given the attacking philosophies of both managers.
Fenerbahce vs Dinamo Zagreb Preview and Prediction
Fenerbahce face Dinamo Zagreb in a Champions League second qualifying round tie that brings together two clubs with European pedigree and substantial summer investment. The first leg is in Istanbul on July 10, with the second leg in Zagreb on July 17. Fenerbahce are slight favorites at 1.62 to advance.
Fenerbahce have spent over 80 million euros in the summer transfer window in a bid to return to the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2018-19. The headline signing was 27-year-old Spanish striker Joselu for 25 million euros from Espanyol, while they also brought in 23-year-old Brazilian winger Vinicius Souza for 18 million euros from Sporting Lisbon. Manager Jorge Jesus has assembled a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
Dinamo Zagreb are Croatian champions for the sixth consecutive season and have a proud record in Champions League qualifying. Under manager Jakov Sutalo, they play a disciplined 4-2-3-1 system that is difficult to break down. Their squad features a mix of experienced Croatian internationals and emerging young talent, with 22-year-old forward Marko Pjaca returning to the club after spells in Italy and England.
Dinamo Zagreb's recent European record in qualifying is strong. They eliminated Shakhtar Donetsk in the first qualifying round of 2023-24 and beat Qarabag in the second round last season. Their defensive organization has been their strength, conceding only 3 goals in 8 qualifying matches across the last two seasons.
The first leg at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium will be played in intense heat, with temperatures expected to reach 35ยฐC at kick-off. This could favor Fenerbahce, who are used to Turkish summer conditions, while Dinamo Zagreb may struggle with the physical demands. Fenerbahce's attacking quality should tell, but Dinamo Zagreb are masters of playing on the counter-attack.
Prediction: Fenerbahce 4-2 on aggregate. Fenerbahce will win 2-1 in Istanbul and 2-1 in Zagreb. Dinamo Zagreb will make it uncomfortable, but Fenerbahce's attacking firepower and home advantage in the first leg will see them through.
Molde vs Viktoria Plzen Preview and Prediction
Molde face Viktoria Plzen in a Champions League second qualifying round tie between two clubs who have regular European experience. The first leg is in Norway on July 9, with the second leg in the Czech Republic on July 16. Molde are favorites at 1.80 to advance.
Molde are Norwegian champions for the first time since 2022 and have built a squad capable of competing in Europe under long-serving manager Erling Moe. The 59-year-old has been in charge since 2018 and has transformed Molde into one of Norway's most organized teams. Their key player is 24-year-old midfielder Erling Haaland's younger brother, 19-year-old striker Albert Tjaland, who scored 22 goals last season.
Viktoria Plzen are Czech champions for the first time since 2021-22 and are looking to return to the Champions League group stage after a four-year absence. Manager Michal Bilek plays a 4-2-3-1 system that emphasizes quick transitions and wide attacking play. Their attacking threat comes from 26-year-old forward Pavel Sulc, who scored 18 goals last season, and 23-year-old winger Tomas Chory, who provided 12 assists.
Molde's home advantage in Norway is significant. The club's stadium, Aker Stadion, has an artificial surface that can be difficult for visiting teams to adapt to. The conditions in Norway in July are also challenging, with long daylight hours and cool temperatures that can disrupt the rhythm of opponents from warmer climates.
Viktoria Plzen's recent European record in qualifying is mixed. They beat Pyunik in the first qualifying round last season but were eliminated by Ferencvaros in the second round. Their attacking style makes them dangerous, but they can be vulnerable defensively against teams that press high.
Prediction: Molde 3-2 on aggregate. Molde will win 2-1 at home and 1-1 in the Czech Republic. The artificial surface and home advantage in the first leg will be decisive, with Molde's organization proving too much for Viktoria Plzen's attack.
Other Second Round Ties Preview
Beyond the three headline fixtures, there are five other second qualifying round ties that will determine the remaining five spots in the third round.
Qarabag vs Ferencvaros - The Azerbaijani champions face Hungarian champions Ferencvaros in a tie between two clubs with recent Champions League experience. Qarabag are favorites at 1.55 to advance, having reached the Europa League group stage last season. Ferencvaros beat Celtic in Champions League qualifying in 2020-21 and will be confident of another upset. Prediction: Qarabag 3-1 on aggregate.
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Red Star Belgrade - The Israeli champions face Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade in a tie that brings together two clubs with passionate fanbases. Red Star are favorites at 1.45 to advance, having eliminated Dinamo Zagreb from the Europa League last season. Maccabi Tel Aviv have home advantage but face a significant step up in quality. Prediction: Red Star Belgrade 4-2 on aggregate.
Union Berlin vs Slovan Bratislava - The German champions face Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava in a tie between established European heavyweights and emerging Central European talent. Union Berlin are overwhelming favorites at 1.25 to advance, having reached the Champions League semi-finals last season. Slovan Bratislava will look to make it uncomfortable but lack the quality to compete. Prediction: Union Berlin 5-0 on aggregate.
RB Salzburg vs Servette - The Austrian champions face Swiss champions Servette in a tie between two clubs who know each other well from European competition. Salzburg are favorites at 1.35 to advance, having eliminated Servette from the Europa League last season. Servette will be determined to exact revenge but face a significant quality gap. Prediction: RB Salzburg 4-1 on aggregate.
FC Copenhagen vs Young Boys - The Danish champions face Swiss champions Young Boys in a tie between two clubs who have both reached the Champions League group stage in recent seasons. FC Copenhagen are slight favorites at 1.70 to advance, with a more experienced European squad. Young Boys have attacking threat but defensive vulnerabilities. Prediction: FC Copenhagen 3-2 on aggregate.
Champions League Second Round Predictions and Odds
The Champions League 2026-27 second qualifying round promises drama across Europe, with several ties too close to call. Based on form, squad quality and home advantage, here are the predictions for all eight ties:
July 9-10 First Leg / July 16-17 Second Leg
Celtic vs Bodo Glimt - Celtic 3-2 on aggregate (Odds: Celtic 1.73)
Fenerbahce vs Dinamo Zagreb - Fenerbahce 4-2 on aggregate (Odds: Fenerbahce 1.62)
Molde vs Viktoria Plzen - Molde 3-2 on aggregate (Odds: Molde 1.80)
Qarabag vs Ferencvaros - Qarabag 3-1 on aggregate (Odds: Qarabag 1.55)
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Red Star Belgrade - Red Star Belgrade 4-2 on aggregate (Odds: Red Star Belgrade 1.45)
Union Berlin vs Slovan Bratislava - Union Berlin 5-0 on aggregate (Odds: Union Berlin 1.25)
RB Salzburg vs Servette - RB Salzburg 4-1 on aggregate (Odds: RB Salzburg 1.35)
FC Copenhagen vs Young Boys - FC Copenhagen 3-2 on aggregate (Odds: FC Copenhagen 1.70)
The standout upset prediction is Molde vs Viktoria Plzen, where the Norwegian artificial surface and home advantage in the first leg could be decisive. The tie most likely to go to extra time or penalties is Celtic vs Bodo Glimt, with both teams capable of scoring away from home.
Live odds updates for every Champions League qualifying match are available on iscore.ai, with real-time changes as team news and injuries are confirmed before kick-off.
Champions League Third Round Qualifying Path
The eight winners from the Champions League second qualifying round will advance to the third qualifying round, where they will face teams dropping down from the Champions League third qualifying round. This is the final hurdle before the Champions League play-off round, where four teams will secure places in the group stage.
The third qualifying round draw takes place on July 18, 2026, with matches played on July 23-24 (first leg) and July 30-31 (second leg). The format remains two-legged ties, with away goals applying and extra time and penalties if required after the second leg.
The teams dropping down from the Champions League third qualifying round will be those who lose in the Champions League third qualifying round, which features higher-seeded clubs who enter at that stage. These clubs include some of Europe's traditional powers who missed out on direct group stage qualification.
The Champions League play-off round then takes place in August, with the four winners from the third qualifying round facing four teams dropping down from the Champions League play-off round. The four winners of those ties secure the final four spots in the 32-team Champions League group stage.
Live scores, results and standings for every stage of Champions League qualifying are available on iscore.ai, bringing you comprehensive coverage of the road to the group stage.