UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying: what you need to know
If you follow women’s football, the qualifying stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League is where the excitement starts. It’s the first chance to see emerging clubs clash for a spot in the main tournament, and every match can shift the balance for the season. This guide breaks down the format, key dates and the teams you should keep an eye on.
How the qualifying rounds work
The qualifying phase begins with a mini‑tournament format. Teams are split into groups of four and play a single‑match round‑robin. The group winners and the best runners‑up move on to the knockout round, where two‑leg ties decide who reaches the group stage of the Champions League.
UEFA uses a coefficient ranking to seed clubs, so the stronger teams avoid each other early on. If a club’s national league is among the lower‑ranked associations, it starts in the first round; higher‑ranked leagues enter later, often straight into the knockout stage.
Each match follows standard UEFA rules: 90 minutes of play, extra time and penalties if needed. The tie‑breaker for group rankings is points, then goal difference, then goals scored. This makes every goal count, even in a loss.
Key teams and fixtures to watch
While the big names like Barcelona and Bayern Munich usually enter later, the qualifiers showcase clubs hungry for a breakthrough. Look out for teams such as Paris Saint‑Germain, Rosengård, and Atlético Madrid’s women’s side, who have strong domestic records and can cause upsets.
One of the most talked‑about fixtures this year is the clash between Olympique Lyon’s rivals from the French league and a rising Dutch side that topped the Eredivisie. Both squads boast several international players, so you can expect high‑tempo action and plenty of goals.
Make a note of the match dates: the group stage runs from late July to early August, followed by the knockout ties in September. Streaming platforms and UEFA’s official site will carry live coverage, plus highlights on social media.
For fans who love stats, the qualifying round often reveals future stars. Keep an eye on top scorers and goalkeepers with clean‑sheet streaks – they usually carry that form into the main tournament.
Finally, don’t forget the smaller clubs. Teams from Scandinavia, the Balkans and Eastern Europe often bring a gritty, physical style that can surprise the technically polished squads. These games are where the drama of the Champions League truly begins.
Explore the posts below for match reports, player interviews and tactical analysis of every qualifying game. Stay with us to catch up on scores, standings and what the results mean for the road ahead in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Arsenal Faces Tough Path in Women's Champions League Qualifying
Arsenal begins their journey in the 2024-25 Women's Champions League with a challenging draw in the first round of qualifying. Facing Rangers in the semi-finals of the league path, and potentially Atletico de Madrid next, they must navigate through a complex series of mini-tournaments to advance. Success here is crucial to avoid repeating last season's early exit.
