CSKA Sofia to face Derry City in Europa League qualifier

CSKA Sofia host Northern Irish side Derry City on 9 July 2026 in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. The match kicks off at 21:00 and will be shown live on Bulgaria’s Diema Sport channel.

The Bulgarian champions earned a place in the competition after winning the domestic cup last season. They arrived in Austria for a pre‑season camp, playing three friendlies and a final warm‑up against Marek Dupnitsa, which they won 3‑0. Coach Hristo Yanev expects a strong performance at the National Stadium “Vasil Levski”.

Betting markets favor a CSKA win, with the primary handicap at 0‑1 offered at odds around 1.90. Predicted line‑ups feature CSKA in a 4‑2‑3‑1 formation, including Fiodor Lapuhojov and Stefano Sensi, while Derry City line‑up is expected to be a 4‑1‑4‑1 with Brian Meheir up front. Historical head‑to‑head records show CSKA holding an advantage, having won two of the three recent meetings.