The UEFA Europa League qualifiers for the 2021-22 season started on August 3 and will run until August 26.
The qualifying phase for the second tier European competition is divided into three stages; the Champions Path, the Main Path and the Play-Off Rounds. As many as 10 teams play in the Champions Path. These 10 teams are the losing outfits from the second qualifying round of the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League Champions Path.
Six teams play in the Main Path. Here three teams are the losing sides from the second qualifying round of the Champions League Main Path. This is followed by the play-off rounds where 20 teams fight for the 10 spots which take them to the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.
Europa League qualifiers’ match format
Like the usual Europa League matches, the qualifiers are played over two legs with each team playing one match at home. The team aggregating more goals advances to the next round. In case the aggregate score is tied, extra time will come into effect as the away goal rule is no longer applicable. If the scores are still tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out decides the outcome of the contest.
Joining through Europa League qualifying:
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) May 24, 2021
3QR
🏴 St Johnstone
🇨🇿 Jablonec
🇨🇾 Anorthosis Famagusta
4QR
🇧🇪 Antwerp
🇺🇦 Zorya Luhansk
🇳🇱 AZ Alkmaar
🇹🇷 Fenerbahce
🇦🇹 Sturm Graz
🇩🇰 Randers
All other 26 participants will drop down from UCL qualifying.
The matches in the Champions Path as well as the Main Path were played between August 3-12. The first leg of the play-off rounds will begin on August 17, with Red Star Belgrade playing host to CFR Cluj. The first leg matches will go on till August 19 while the second leg matches will be played on August 26.
Europa League qualifiers’ play-off round schedule
| Team 1 | Team 2 | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg |
| Red Star Belgrade | CFR Cluj | August 17 | August 26 |
| Randers | Galatasaray | August 19 | August 26 |
| Rapid Wien | Zorya Luhansk | August 19 | August 26 |
| Celtic | AZ | August 19 | August 26 |
| Fenerbahce | HJK | August 19 | August 26 |
| Mura | Sturm Graz | August 19 | August 26 |
| Omonia | Royal Antwerp | August 19 | August 26 |
| Olympiacos | Slovan Bratislava | August 19 | August 26 |
| Rangers | Alashkert | August 19 | August 26 |
| Slavia Prague | Legia Warsaw | August 19 | August 26 |
Europa League 2021-22 schedule
While the draws for the Europa League group stage will be announced on August 27, UEFA has released the schedule for the competition. Every group stage game of the Europa League will be played on a Thursday night and here are the dates:
Matchday 1 - 16 September 2021
Matchday 2 - 30 September 2021
Matchday 3 - 21 October 2021
Matchday 4 - 4 November 2021
Matchday 5 - 25 November 2021
Matchday 6 - 9 December 2021
Knockout stage:
Round of 32 - 17 and 24 February 2022
Round of 16 - 10 and 17 March 2022
Quarter-finals - 7 and 14 April 2022
Semi-finals - 28 April and 5 May 2022
Final - 18 May 2022
Where to watch UEFA Europa League 2021-22 live in India?
There will be no broadcast of Europa League qualifiers in India, but the competition will be televised from the group stage on Sony Sports Network.
Live streaming of the UEFA Europa League will be available on the SonyLiv website and app.
Featured photo: AFP / Michael Sohn
