Fenerbahçe prepares for Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz
Fenerbahçe will host Austrian side Sturm Graz on 5 August 2026 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third‑qualifying round. Coach İsmail Kartal confirmed a “final‑match” approach, stressing the need for a strong home result before the return leg in Graz.
The Turkish club announced a revised UEFA squad, adding former France midfielder N'Golo Kante and striker Vedat Muriqi, while Jayden Oosterwolde will start at left‑back. The lineup also features Anderson Talisca, Marco Asensio and a defence anchored by Nathan Ake, Milan Skriniar and Nelson Semedo. Betting markets heavily favour Fenerbahçe, with odds around –257 and many analysts predicting a 3‑0 win.
A public training session at the Can Bartu facilities was opened to supporters, with club president Aziz Yıldırım greeting fans. If Fenerbahçe progress, the play‑off draw will pit them against the winner of the Sparta Prague–Lyon tie.
Entities: Aziz Yıldırım · Beşiktaş J.K. · Beşiktaş JK · Fenerbahçe · Fenerbahçe S.K. · Fenerbahçe SK · N'Golo Kante · Nyon, Switzerland · Sturm Graz · Trabzonspor · Trabzonspor A. · Trabzonspor A.Ş.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] UEFA held the play‑off draw in Nyon, Switzerland on 3 August 2026 at 13:00 CET. (All articles describing the draw)
- [● 3 SOURCES] If Fenerbahçe advances, its play‑off opponent will be the winner of the Lyon‑Sparta Prag tie. (Articles on Fenerbahçe's possible opponents)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Trabzonspor enters directly into the Europa League play‑off round. (Articles on Trabzonspor's entry)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Possible opponents for Trabzonspor include Benfica, Rangers, Anderlecht, Viktoria Plzen and others. (Articles listing Trabzonspor's possible opponents)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Fenerbahçe's first leg against Sturm Graz is on 5 August 2026 in Istanbul; the return leg is on 11 August in Austria. (Match schedule articles)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Beşiktaş's first leg against Hradec Kralove is on 6 August 2026; the second leg is on 13 August 2026. (Match schedule articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Fenerbahçe will face Sturm Graz in the Champions League third qualifying round. (Articles on Fenerbahçe's opponent)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Beşiktaş will play Hradec Kralove in the Europa League third qualifying round. (Articles on Beşiktaş's opponent)