Venezuelan Players Learn Europa League Opponents

Venezuelan footballers participating in European club competitions now know the teams they will face in the 2026-2027 Europa League season. The draw, held on Friday, August 28, has set the stage for several "Vinotinto" players.

Players such as Jon Aramburu and Yangel Herrera, who play for Real Sociedad, will compete against Olympique de Lyon, Viktoria Plzeň, Bournemouth, and Torreense. Real Sociedad will also face Juventus, Union Saint Gilloise, Crystal Palace, and Lillestrøm in away matches.

Luis Balbo's team, Sturm Graz, is set to play against AZ Alkmaar, Stade Rennes, Dinamo Zagreb, Celje, Creta, and Hoffeinheim. They will also face Marseille and Bournemouth, mirroring some of Real Sociedad's opponents. Christian Makoun's club, Levski Sofia, will contend with AC Milan, Jagiellonia, Sunderland, and NEC Nijmegen. Levski Sofia shares fixtures against Marseille, Viktoria Plzeň, and Lillestrøm with Real Sociedad.

The draw also features other Venezuelan talents. Alejandro Gomes Rodríguez, who is part of Olympique Lyon's first team, will compete against Bayer Leverkusen, Union Saint Gilloise, Crystal Palace, Lillestrøm, Anderlecht, Jagiellonia, and Hoffeinheim. Additionally, Yerwin Sulbarán is part of the FC Liefering squad, a feeder team for Red Bull Salzburg, and could potentially feature in the Europa League.

While Sulbarán and Gomes are not regular starters, their inclusion in their respective teams' Europa League squads offers them opportunities to play in the tournament. Aramburu, Herrera, Makoun, and Balbo are either established champions with their clubs or recent signings brought in to strengthen their teams this season, highlighting the growing presence of Venezuelan talent in European football.