CSKA Sofia hosts AS Monaco in UEFA Conference League opener

CSKA Sofia is set to host AS Monaco at the Vasil Levski National Stadium on October 15, 2026, for their opening match in the UEFA Conference League. CSKA Sofia, led by coach Markus Gisdol, enters the fixture on a seven-match unbeaten streak. The Bulgarian side faces a significant challenge against the French club, which is managed by Filipe Luís and currently holds a top position in Ligue 1.

Preparation for the match includes high fan engagement, with CSKA Sofia reporting that over 15,000 tickets have already been sold. However, the team faces potential defensive setbacks as key player Jean-Philippe Gbamin is dealing with a physical issue that may prevent him from participating.

Historically, CSKA Sofia has maintained a perfect record against Monaco in matches played on Bulgarian soil during the 1980s. Monaco enters the competition after advancing through the playoffs against Górnik Zabrze.