Benfica faces a critical early-season test as the club prepares for its UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign under new manager Marco Silva. Following a 2025/26 season that saw Torreense secure a direct spot in the competition by winning the Taça de Portugal, Benfica must now navigate a qualification path that begins with a trip to Switzerland to face St. Gallen.
Benfica’s Qualification Path and European Stakes
Benfica’s European journey for the 2026/27 campaign hinges on a two-legged playoff against St. Gallen. This match marks the competitive debut for Marco Silva, who succeeded José Mourinho as head coach. The stakes are significant: success in this round moves the club into the third qualifying stage, where they would face either Sturm Graz or Hearts.
Failure to advance against St. Gallen would relegate the club to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. In that scenario, Benfica would face either Sheriff of Moldova or Maccabi Telavive. The club’s recent history in secondary European competitions includes final appearances in the 1982/83 UEFA Cup and the Europa League in both 2012/13 and 2013/14.
Did you know?
While Benfica must navigate qualifying rounds, Torreense holds a direct entry into the Europa League group stage for the 2026/27 season, a reward for their Taça de Portugal victory in the previous campaign.
Sturm Graz Sets Up Playoff Clash
Austrian side Sturm Graz has already secured its position in the next phase of European competition. In a recent match, goals from Jon Stankovic, Jeyland Mitchell, Luca Weinhandl, and Jürgen Heil confirmed their progression. Sturm Graz is now scheduled to decide the outcome of their current tie with a return leg in Scotland on July 28, where Portuguese player Cláudio Braga is expected to feature.
The winners of these various paths—12 from the champions’ route and two from the league route—will advance to the third round of access to the main league phase. Teams that fall at this hurdle are diverted to the corresponding stage of the Europa League, mirroring the pressure currently facing the Lisbon side.
Leadership Outlook at Estádio da Luz
Amidst the European preparations, the Benfica president addressed the media at Estádio da Luz on July 21, 2026. Speaking at the launch of the Benfica Institute for Sport Excellence, the president discussed the current state of the club, including ongoing squad management and the transition under the new technical staff.
Pro Tip: Tracking European Coefficients
Fans and analysts often track the “path” of qualifying rounds to project potential matchups.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the new manager of Benfica for the 2026/27 season? Marco Silva has taken the helm, succeeding José Mourinho.
- What happens if Benfica loses to St. Gallen? The club would be relegated to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League to face either Sheriff or Maccabi Telavive.
- Why does Torreense have a direct spot in the Europa League? They secured their place by winning the Taça de Portugal during the 2025/26 season.
- When does Sturm Graz play their next decisive match? The Austrian side travels to Scotland on July 28 to conclude their current qualifying tie.
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