Official: Results of the UEFA Europa League Playoff Draw
The draw for the playoff qualifying for the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League 2026 has been conducted, resulting in strong and decisive matchups between clubs aspiring to continue their continental journey, under the new system of the competition, which has increased the intensity of competition in the knockout stages.
The playoff draw for the last 16 comes after the conclusion of the league stage, which witnessed great excitement, where teams that finished in mid-table positions found themselves facing a crucial test between continuing in Europe or exiting the tournament early.
In this round, 16 teams that occupied positions from ninth to twenty-fourth in the final league stage standings compete for only 8 spots to qualify for the last 16, to face the eight teams that secured direct passage.
The draw featured renowned clubs on the European stage, including Nottingham Forest from England, Celtic from Scotland, and Fenerbahçe from Turkey.
The playoff matches are held in a two-legged format, with the first legs played on February 19, 2026, and the second legs on February 26, 2026.
The draw ceremony began at 2 PM Cairo time, and 3 PM Mecca time.
Teams qualified for the UEFA Europa League last 16 playoff:
Seeded teams (positions 9-16):
Genk (Belgium), Bologna (Italy), Stuttgart (Germany), Ferencváros (Hungary), Nottingham Forest (England), Viktoria Plzeň (Czech Republic), Red Star (Serbia), Celta Vigo (Spain).
Unseeded teams (positions 17-24):
PAOK (Greece), Lille (France), Fenerbahçe (Turkey), Panathinaikos (Greece), Celtic (Scotland), Ludogorets (Bulgaria), Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia), Brann Bergen (Norway).
UEFA Europa League playoff system:
The playoff is held in a two-legged format, where:
Seeded teams play the first leg away and the second leg at home.
Unseeded teams host the first leg and play the second leg away.
This round determines the identity of the eight clubs advancing to the last 16 of the 2026 UEFA Europa League.
Results of the playoff draw for the last 16 of the 2026 UEFA Europa League:
PAOK vs. Celta Vigo.
Lille vs. Red Star.
Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest.
Panathinaikos vs. Viktoria Plzeň.
Celtic vs. Stuttgart.
Ludogorets vs. Ferencváros.
Brann Bergen vs. Bologna.
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Genk.
The playoff draw for the last 16 comes after the conclusion of the league stage, which witnessed great excitement, where teams that finished in mid-table positions found themselves facing a crucial test between continuing in Europe or exiting the tournament early.
In this round, 16 teams that occupied positions from ninth to twenty-fourth in the final league stage standings compete for only 8 spots to qualify for the last 16, to face the eight teams that secured direct passage.
The draw featured renowned clubs on the European stage, including Nottingham Forest from England, Celtic from Scotland, and Fenerbahçe from Turkey.
The playoff matches are held in a two-legged format, with the first legs played on February 19, 2026, and the second legs on February 26, 2026.
The draw ceremony began at 2 PM Cairo time, and 3 PM Mecca time.
Teams qualified for the UEFA Europa League last 16 playoff:
Seeded teams (positions 9-16):
Genk (Belgium), Bologna (Italy), Stuttgart (Germany), Ferencváros (Hungary), Nottingham Forest (England), Viktoria Plzeň (Czech Republic), Red Star (Serbia), Celta Vigo (Spain).
Unseeded teams (positions 17-24):
PAOK (Greece), Lille (France), Fenerbahçe (Turkey), Panathinaikos (Greece), Celtic (Scotland), Ludogorets (Bulgaria), Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia), Brann Bergen (Norway).
UEFA Europa League playoff system:
The playoff is held in a two-legged format, where:
Seeded teams play the first leg away and the second leg at home.
Unseeded teams host the first leg and play the second leg away.
This round determines the identity of the eight clubs advancing to the last 16 of the 2026 UEFA Europa League.
Results of the playoff draw for the last 16 of the 2026 UEFA Europa League:
PAOK vs. Celta Vigo.
Lille vs. Red Star.
Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest.
Panathinaikos vs. Viktoria Plzeň.
Celtic vs. Stuttgart.
Ludogorets vs. Ferencváros.
Brann Bergen vs. Bologna.
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Genk.
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