# Celje's UEFA Champions League qualification

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/celjes-uefa-champions-league-qualification
> Updated: 2026-08-04T18:06:34.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 4.

Celje’s high‑scoring run continued after a 3‑3 draw with KF Egnatia on 26 July 2026 and a 4‑0 penalty‑shootout win that took the club into the play‑off stage. On 3 August 2026 the club learned its next opponent would be FC Ararat‑Armenia, with the tie offering a potential UEFA prize of more than €8 million and guaranteeing at least ten European matches. The first leg of the third‑qualifying round was scheduled for 4 August 2026 at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan.

The match took place as planned and Celje were defeated 2‑1. Forward Svit Sešlar gave Celje an early lead, but Ararat‑Armenia equalised before taking the lead through Carlos Franca. The loss means Celje must overturn the deficit in the return leg at home a week later to stay in the competition. Advancement would pit them against the winner of the Mjällby‑Slovan Bratislava tie, while elimination would relegate them to the Europa League qualifiers.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Celje fall 2-1 to Ararat-Armenia in Champions League qualifying

NK Celje lost 2-1 to FC Ararat-Armenia in Yerevan, with goals from Sešlar, Serobjan and Franca; they must win the return leg at home to stay in the Champions League qualifiers.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/celje-fall-2-1-to-ararat-armenia-in-champions-league-qualifying

### 2026-08-02: Ararat-Armenia to host Celje in Champions League third‑qualifying round

Ararat‑Armenia host Celje on 4 Aug 2026 in the Champions League third‑qualifying round, with the winner moving to a lucrative play‑off draw.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/celje-set-for-champions-league-playoff-against-araratarmenia

### 2026-07-28: Ararat-Armenia and Celje advance to Champions League play‑offs

Ararat-Armenia (3‑2 agg.) and Celje (penalties) have both qualified for the Champions League play‑off round, with coaches Manuel Tulipa and Vítor Campelos leading the advances.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ararat-armenia-and-celje-advance-to-champions-league-playoffs

### 2026-07-26: Egnatia and Celje finish 3‑3 in Champions League qualifying first leg

Egnatia and Celje drew 3‑3 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League second‑qualifying round, with goals from Papa Daniel, Mario Kvesić, Armandas Kučys, Fernando Medeiros and Ibrahim Diabate; the return leg

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/egnatia-and-celje-finish-33-in-champions-league-qualifying-first-leg

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Cite as: Celje's UEFA Champions League qualification. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/celjes-uefa-champions-league-qualification