Malta Football Champions Floriana F.C. were drawn against Irish champions Shamrock Rovers F.C. in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, following Tuesday’s draw held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.
Floriana secured their place in Europe’s elite club competition after defeating Marsaxlokk F.C. in last month’s Malta Premier League Finalissima, claiming the Maltese championship title for the 27th time in the club’s history.
Now led once again by coach Daniel Portela, who was retained for a second consecutive season, the Greens face a difficult challenge against the experienced Irish outfit.
Shamrock Rovers have previously faced Maltese opposition on two occasions in European competitions.
Back in 2022, Hibernians F.C. met Shamrock Rovers in the opening qualifying round of the Champions League and advanced comfortably with a 3-0 aggregate victory.
More recently, in December, Ħamrun Spartans F.C. took on Shamrock Rovers in their final league-phase fixture of the UEFA Europa Conference League, with the Irish club earning a 3-1 victory in Dublin.
Floriana F.C. will play the first leg at home on either July 7 or 8 before travelling to Ireland for the return fixture a week later against Shamrock Rovers F.C.
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round draw was held on Tuesday 16 June.
A total of 28 clubs were involved in the draw; 14 seeded teams and 14 unseeded teams.
2026/27 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round draw
Sabah FC (AZE) vs The New Saints FC (WAL)
Floriana FC (MLT) vs Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL)
FC Flora Tallinn (EST) vs FC Iberia 1999 Tbilisi (GEO)
Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB) vs Inter Club d’Escaldes (AND) *
S.S. Tre Fiori F.C. (SMR) vs Larne FC (NIR) *
FC Ararat-Armenia (ARM) vs Riga FC (LVA)
FC Vardar (MKD) vs KuPS Kuopio (FIN)
FK Kauno Žalgiris (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)
Víkingur Reykjavík (ISL) vs ETO FC Győr (HUN)
FC Kairat Almaty (KAZ) vs FK Sutjeska-Nikšić (MNE)
KÍ Klaksvík (FRO) vs FC Atert Bissen (LUX)
NB: Teams in bold were seeded.
