The winners of the double matches will advance to the group stage and Häcken will face familiar opposition in English Arsenal.
Last summer, it became clear that national team player Rosa Kafaji would leave Hisingsklubben for Arsenal. The London club also features Stina Blackstenius, Amanda Ilestedt, and Lina Hurtig – and Jonas Eidevall is the coach of the London club.
A really fun draw. It was written in stone that we would get Arsenal. Considering we sold Rosa (Kafaji) to Arsenal, says Häcken's coach Mak Lind to Aftonbladet.
Häcken finished second in their group last season, but were eliminated in the quarterfinals against Paris Saint-Germain. Then, Arsenal missed the group stage entirely after losing to Paris FC in the first qualifying round.
Last year's Swedish champions Hammarby could only be drawn against other champions, but couldn't have gotten tougher opposition than Benfica. The Portuguese club was the highest-ranked among the seeded teams. Benfica reached the quarterfinals last season, but were eliminated by Lyon.
The qualifying matches will be played on September 18-19 and September 25-26.
The big clubs Barcelona (Spain), Lyon (France), Bayern München (Germany), and Chelsea (England) – from the four highest-ranked leagues in Europe – are directly qualified for the group stage.
Last spring, Barcelona won the tournament after a final victory over Lyon.
This is the last season with a group stage for the Women's Champions League. From the 2025-2026 season, the tournament will be decided in a league format – similar to what is being introduced this fall for the men's three-club tournaments.
A total of 18 teams – compared to 16 now – will reach the main tournament. All teams will play six matches (three home, three away), but against six different opponents.
The top four after the regular season will advance directly to the quarterfinals. Teams 5-12 will play playoffs – double matches – for a spot in the quarterfinals. Teams 13-18 have finished playing.
Additionally, a new club tournament will be introduced, which will partly consist of teams that have been eliminated in the Champions League qualifying.
That tournament will not feature a league format, but rather double matches where the loser is eliminated.
Source: Uefa
