Full list of second-tier clubs set to play in Europe next season

By Adegboyega Adeleye

Portuguese side S.C.U. Torreense have emerged as one of the biggest stories in European football after securing a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League despite failing to win promotion to Portugal’s top flight.

Torreense sealed a historic European ticket after shocking Sporting CP 2-1 in the Portuguese Cup final, earning the first major trophy in the club’s 109-year history.

The achievement means Torreense will join a rare group of lower-division clubs set to compete in Europe during the 2026-27 season — a scenario that continues to produce some of football’s most fascinating underdog stories.

European football is often reserved for elite clubs, giant stadiums and domestic champions. Yet, throughout football history, a few lower-division sides have broken into UEFA competitions through dramatic cup triumphs, fair play rankings, and unforgettable underdog stories.

Here are the confirmed second-tier clubs set to play in Europe next season.

1. S.C.U. Torreense — Portugal

Competition: UEFA Europa League (League Phase)

Torreense produced one of the shocks of the European season by defeating Sporting CP in the Portuguese Cup final to secure automatic qualification for the Europa League.

The remarkable victory handed Torreense their first major trophy in their 109-year history and automatically qualified them for the Europa League group stage, making them one of the rare lower-division sides set to compete in Europe next season.

However, the fairy-tale story took another dramatic twist days later after Torreense failed to secure promotion to Portugal’s top flight, losing 2-0 to Casa Pia in their promotion play-off.

Torreense will now compete in Europe next season while still playing outside Portugal’s top flight after losing in the promotion play-offs days after their historic cup triumph.

The club, based in Torres Vedras, finished third in Portugal’s second division and narrowly missed promotion after losing to Casa Pia in the play-off final.

Despite remaining outside the Portuguese top flight, the cup triumph guarantees them European football next season. Their home stadium, however, does not meet UEFA requirements, meaning they will play continental matches at the Estadio Algarve.

2. Vestri — Iceland

Competition: UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds

Icelandic side Vestri also secured European qualification while operating outside the country’s established top-tier elite.

The club, based in a small fishing community with a population of fewer than 3,000 people, earned a Europa League qualifying place after winning the Icelandic Cup.

Their remarkable rise has become one of the season’s most celebrated underdog stories in Nordic football.

3. FC Vaduz — Switzerland/Liechtenstein

Competition: UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds

Vaduz have become one of Europe’s most unusual recurring stories.

Although they compete within the Swiss football league system, the Liechtenstein club have regularly qualified for Europe by dominating the Liechtenstein Cup.

The club spent much of recent years outside Switzerland’s top division while still participating in UEFA competitions through domestic cup success.

Historical second-tier clubs that played in Europe

European football history contains several remarkable examples of clubs outside their nation’s top division competing on the continental stage.

Wigan Athletic F.C. — England

Wigan famously won the 2013 FA Cup against Manchester City but were relegated from the Premier League just days later.

Despite dropping into the Championship, they competed in the UEFA Europa League during the following season.

Birmingham City F.C. — England

Birmingham City qualified for Europe after defeating Arsenal in the 2011 League Cup final.

However, they were relegated from the Premier League later that same season before participating in the Europa League campaign.

Millwall F.C. — England

Millwall reached the UEFA Cup in 2004 despite playing outside England’s top division.

They benefited from Manchester United already qualifying for the Champions League after losing the FA Cup final to the Red Devils.

FC Zürich — Switzerland

Swiss giants FC Zürich played in the Europa League after winning the Swiss Cup despite suffering relegation from the Swiss Super League during the same campaign.

Alemannia Aachen — Germany

Alemannia Aachen reached Europe after losing the German Cup final to Werder Bremen, who had already qualified for the Champions League.

The lower-division German side went on to enjoy a memorable UEFA Cup run before eventual elimination.

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