Dinamo Zagreb learns potential opponents in Europa League draw

Croatian football champions Dinamo Zagreb have learned their potential opponents as they prepare for the Europa League draw. Having missed out on Champions League qualification, the Zagreb club will be placed in the second seeding group for Friday's draw.

This season introduces a new league phase format, similar to the Champions League, where computer-generated pairings will determine all matches. Each club will face two opponents from each of the four seeding groups, playing one home and one away game against each. This marks a significant shift from previous tournament structures.

Dinamo Zagreb will find themselves in a second seeding group alongside teams like Ferencvaros (Hungary), Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic), Royal Union SG (Belgium), RB Salzburg (Austria), Celtic (Scotland), Sparta Prague (Czech Republic), Rennes (France), and Anderlecht (Belgium). The first seeding group includes strong contenders such as Bayer Leverkusen (Germany), Benfica (Portugal), Juventus and Milan (Italy), Olympique Lyon and Marseille (France), AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands), Olympiakos (Greece), and Real Sociedad (Spain).

The league phase is scheduled to commence on September 16 and 17, concluding on January 28, 2027. Play-off matches for the knockout stage will take place on February 18 and 25, followed by the round of 16 in March, quarterfinals in early April, and semifinals in late April and early May. The final is set to be held on May 26, 2027, at the stadium in Frankfurt, home of Eintracht Frankfurt.