Full list of second-tier clubs set to play in Europe next season

By Adegboyega Adeleye

Portuguese club S.C.U. Torreense has become a headline story in European football after earning a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League, even though the team did not secure promotion to Portugal’s top division.

Torreense secured a historic European berth by defeating Sporting CP 2‑1 in the Portuguese Cup final, winning the club’s first major trophy in its 109‑year history.

This achievement places Torreense among a small group of lower‑division clubs that will compete in Europe during the 2026‑27 season, a scenario that often produces compelling underdog narratives.

While European competitions are typically dominated by elite clubs, a handful of lower‑division sides have entered UEFA tournaments through dramatic cup victories, fair‑play rankings, and memorable underdog stories.

Below are the confirmed second‑tier clubs set to play in Europe next season.

1. S.C.U. Torreense — Portugal

Competition: UEFA Europa League (League Phase)

Torreense delivered one of the season’s biggest shocks by beating Sporting CP in the Portuguese Cup final, which granted them automatic qualification for the Europa League.

The win gave Torreense their first major trophy in 109 years and secured a spot in the Europa League group stage, making them one of the few lower‑division sides to compete in Europe next season.

Despite this triumph, Torreense failed to gain promotion to Portugal’s top flight, losing 2‑0 to Casa Pia in the promotion play‑off final.

The club, based in Torres Vedras, finished third in the second division and narrowly missed promotion after the play‑off loss.

Although they will remain outside the top division, the cup victory guarantees them European football next season. Because their home stadium does not meet UEFA standards, they will host continental matches at Estadio Algarve.

2. Vestri — Iceland

Competition: UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds

Icelandic side Vestri also earned a place in European competition while operating outside the country’s top tier.

The club, located in a small fishing community with fewer than 3,000 residents, secured a Europa League qualifying spot by winning the Icelandic Cup.

Vestri’s rise has become one of the season’s most celebrated underdog stories in Nordic football.

3. FC Vaduz — Switzerland/Liechtenstein

Competition: UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds

Vaduz has become one of Europe’s most unusual recurring stories.

Although the Liechtenstein club competes within the Swiss football league system, it has regularly qualified for Europe by winning the Liechtenstein Cup.

In recent years, the club has spent much of its time outside Switzerland’s top division while still participating in UEFA competitions through domestic cup success.

Historical second‑tier clubs that played in Europe

European football history contains several notable examples of clubs outside their nation’s top division competing on the continental stage.

Wigan Athletic F.C. — England

Wigan famously won the 2013 FA Cup against Manchester City but were relegated from the Premier League just days later.

Despite dropping into the Championship, they competed in the UEFA Europa League during the following season.

Birmingham City F.C. — England

Birmingham City qualified for Europe after defeating Arsenal in the 2011 League Cup final.

They were relegated from the Premier League later that same season before participating in the Europa League campaign.

Millwall F.C. — England

Millwall reached the UEFA Cup in 2004 while playing outside England’s top division.

They benefited from Manchester United already qualifying for the Champions League after losing the FA Cup final to the Red Devils.

FC Zürich — Switzerland

Swiss giants FC Zürich played in the Europa League after winning the Swiss Cup despite suffering relegation from the Swiss Super League during the same campaign.

Alemannia Aachen — Germany

Alemannia Aachen reached Europe after losing the German Cup final to Werder Bremen, who had already qualified for the Champions League.

The lower‑division German side enjoyed a memorable UEFA Cup run before eventual elimination.

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