The JD Cymru Premier representatives in European football for 2026/27 discovered their first qualifying round opponents in today’s draws in Nyon.
In the UEFA Champions League, The New Saints will meet Azerbaijan side Sabah, who are making their debut in the competition. Craig Harrison’s side will be away in the first leg before hosting the second leg at Park Hall.
Sabah won the Azerbaijan Premier League for the first time in 2025/26, ending Qarabag’s run of four consecutive titles. They have won two of their previous seven European ties, reaching as far as the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League on three separate occasions.
In the UEFA Conference League, Connah’s Quay Nomads will meet FC Ballkani of Kosovo. John Disney’s team will be at home in the first leg – at Colwyn Bay’s Blue Turtle Arena – before travelling away in the second leg.
Three-time champions of Kosovo, FC Ballkani finished third in the table last season. They have strong pedigree on the continent, having reached the group stage of the UEFA Conference League in 2022/23 and 2023/24.
Caernarfon Town will also be at home in the first leg, welcoming Estonian side FCI Levadia Tallinn to The Oval before travelling away in the second leg.
FCI Levadia Tallinn have won the Estonian top-flight on 11 previous occasions, most recently in 2024, and currently sit 10 points clear at the top of the table – and unbeaten – midway through the 2026 campaign. Regulars in European competition, they have previously beaten both The New Saints and Bala Town.
Finally, Penybont will face a re-match against FC Santa Coloma of Andorra – who they also met in the first qualifying round three years ago. Bont will host the first leg at Cardiff City Stadium, before travelling away in the second leg.
FC Santa Coloma were 3-1 winners on aggregate in that tie in 2023/24 and they went on to reach the third qualifying round that season – the furthest they have ever progressed in European competition. They have won the Andorran top-flight on a record 13 occasions, but not since 2019, and finished fourth last season – only qualifying for the UEFA Conference League after the two clubs above them failed to achieve a UEFA licence.
All first qualifying round first legs will be played in the week commencing 6 July, before the second legs in the week commencing 13 July. Exact dates and kick-off times will be confirmed by UEFA in due course.
