TNS to face Sabah as Welsh sides learn Euro fate

(Left to right) The New Saints boss Craig Harrison, Connah's Quay boss John Disney, Caernarfon Town boss Richard Davies and Penybont boss Rhys GriffithsFAW

Wales are currently ranked 54th in Uefa's association club coefficient rankings - with only San Marino sitting below them

The New Saints will face Sabah of Azerbaijan in the opening qualifying round of the 2026-27 Champions League.

Craig Harrison's men won the Cymru Premier title for the fifth successive season last time out to once again be Wales' representatives in Europe's premier club competition.

They will take on Sabah in Azerbaijan on either 7 or 8 July in the first round first leg, with the second leg to be played at Park Hall a week later.

Masazir-based Sabah - who were formed in 2017 - are set to play in European competition for the fourth season in a row.

The Owls won the Azerbaijan Premier League for the first time last season having finished nine points clear of 12-time champions Qarabag.

The Saints have never reached the group stages of the Champions League, although they did progress into the group phase of the Conference League for the first time during the 2024-25 season, with their sole victory coming against Astana of Kazakhstan.

Conference League

Connah's Quay - who finished second in last season's Cymru Premier - will take on Ballkani of Kosovo in the first qualifying round of the 2026-27 Conference League.

They will play the home leg of their tie at Colwyn Bay's Llanelian Road.

The Nomads have not emerged victorious over a two-legged contest in European competition since beating Scottish side Kilmarnock 3-2 on aggregate in 2019-20 Europa League qualifying.

Caernarfon Town are set to face Estonian outfit Levadia Tallinn in round one of qualifying.

Richard Davies' Canaries beat Flint Town United 3-0 at Newport's Rodney Parade in April to lift the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history and earn a spot in Europe for the second time in three seasons.

Tallinn-based Levadia finished second in last season's Meistriliiga - the top tier of football in Estonia.

Penybont - who booked their place in Europe courtesy of victory in the Cymru Premier play-offs - will take on Santa Coloma - with Bont's home leg staged at Cardiff City Stadium.

The Doves are 13-time champions of Andorra and beat Rhys Griffiths' men 3-1 over two legs in the first round of Conference League qualifying in 2023-24.

All first leg ties will take place on Thursday, 9 July - with the return legs due to be played on Thursday, 16 July.