Football

Sabah FC Qualifies for Champions League Group Stage for First Time

Sabah FC from Azerbaijan achieves a historic qualification for the Champions League group stage after a remarkable comeback win against Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

26 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Sabah FC Qualifies for Champions League Group Stage for First Time — Photo: Piriyevparvin · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Sabah FC from Azerbaijan has qualified for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club's history. The team secured its spot following a thrilling comeback victory against Hapoel Be'er Sheva from Israel during the return leg of the playoff match.

In a dramatic turn of events, Sabah reversed a 4-2 deficit on aggregate by winning the match 6-4, with the decisive goals coming after extra time. This remarkable feat highlights the team's resilience and determination, considering they were established just nine years ago.

The outcome has significant implications, as Sabah will now compete against other elite European clubs in the league phase. Their participation also opens the possibility of facing Club Brugge, among other teams, in the competitive stage of the tournament.

Archive photo: Sabah FC Qualifies for Champions League Group Stage for First Time — Archive photoPhoto: GorchyFUF140292 · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

The UEFA Champions League draw is scheduled for Thursday at 18:00, which will determine the matchups for the group stage. With 36 teams in the competition, the draw will follow specific regulations and will utilize software to establish pairing arrangements.

This qualification has been met with excitement among fans and football analysts, who view it as a significant milestone for Azerbaijani football. The match against Hapoel Be'er Sheva showcased the potential of the club, reflecting their growth since inception.

In addition to Sabah's qualification, other clubs have also made headlines, including LASK from Austria, which also debuted in the Champions League group stage. The developments in this season's competition signal a diversification of participating teams and a shift in the competitive landscape of European football.

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