Champions Floriana were drawn with Irish champions Shamrock Rovers in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. The draw was held on Tuesday at the House of Football in Nyon.
The first leg will be played on July 7 or 8 in Malta with the return match being played in Ireland on July 14 or 15.
This is the third time, Shamrock Rovers were paired with a Maltese club. In summer 2022, they eliminated Hibernians from the UEFA Champions League after defeating them 3-0 at home and a goalless draw in the second leg. Last year, they were drawn with Hamrun Spartans in the league stage of the UEFA Conference League with the Irish winning 3-1 at home.
Founded in 1899, Shamrock Rovers Football Club are based in the South Dublin suburb of Tallaght. They are by far the most successful club in the Republic of Ireland, winning the League of Ireland title a record 22 times and the FAI Cup a record 26 times. Shamrock Rovers have also supplied more players to the Republic of Ireland national football team than any other club.
Shamrock Rovers won the 2025 League of Ireland after finishing three points ahead of runners-up Derry City and seven ahead of Shelbourne. They also won the FAI Cup after defeating Cork City 2-0 in the final. This year, they are currently top of the table with 40 points, five ahead of second-placed St. Patrick’s Athletic and six ahead of third placed Bohemians.
In season 2011/12, they made it to the group stage of the UEFA Europa League and once again to the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League in season 2022/23. In 2024/25 they qualified for the league phase of the UEFA Conference League and eventually the Knock-Out Phase after placing tenth where they were eliminated by Molde of Norway on penalties. Last season, they made it to the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, placing 31st.
2026/27 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round draw
Sabah FC (AZE) vsΒ The New Saints FC (WAL)
Floriana FC (MLT) vsΒ Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL)
FC Flora Tallinn (EST)Β vs FC Iberia 1999 Tbilisi (GEO)
Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB)Β vs Inter Club d’Escaldes (AND)
S.S. Tre Fiori F.C. (SMR) vsΒ Larne FC (NIR)
FC Ararat-Armenia (ARM) vsΒ Riga FC (LVA)
FC Vardar (MKD) vsΒ KuPS Kuopio (FIN)
FK Kauno Ε½algiris (LTU) vs FC Drita (KOS)
ML Vitebsk (BLR) vs Universitatea Craiova (ROU)
FC Petrocub (MDA) vs KF Egnatia (ALB)
FK Borac (BIH) vs PFC Levski Sofia (BUL)
VΓkingur ReykjavΓk (ISL) vs ETO FC GyΕr (HUN)
FC Kairat Almaty (KAZ) vs FK Sutjeska-NikΕ‘iΔ (MNE)
KΓ KlaksvΓk (FRO) vs FC Atert Bissen (LUX)