How FC Twente can qualify for the UEFA conference League
How FC Twente can qualify for the UEFA conference league
FC Twente are just two ties away from returning to the league phase of a European competition. Here’s the route the Dutch side must take to book their place in the UEFA Conference League.
A fourth-place finish in the 2025/26 Eredivisie earned FC Twente a place in UEFA Europa League qualifying, offering the Enschede club another opportunity to establish themselves on the European stage.
Twente made their long-awaited return to continental football in 2024, memorably opening their Europa League campaign with a 1-1 draw away at Manchester United. Their run came to an end in the knockout phase, however, as Bodo/Glimt progressed with a 6-4 aggregate victory.
While European appearances have been rare in recent years, Twente boast proud continental history. The club reached the 1974/75 UEFA Cup final, only to lose 5-1 on aggregate to a star-studded Borussia Monchengladbach side featuring Jupp Heynckes and Berti Vogts.
Following their elimination from the Europa League qualifiers, Twente now have another opportunity to reach a European league phase through the UEFA Conference League.
FC Twente’s route to the Conference League league phase
Second qualifying round (Europa League)
Twente’s European campaign began against Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.
The Budapest club finished second in the Hungarian NB I, just one point behind champions Gyor, but lifted the Hungarian Cup after defeating Zalaegerszeg 1-0 following extra time.
Ferencvaros proved too strong over the two legs. After winning 2-1 in Enschede, the Hungarians held on for a 2-2 draw in Budapest despite playing with 10 men for more than an hour, knocking Twente out of the Europa League and into the Conference League qualifying path.
Third qualifying round (Conference League)
Twente responded in emphatic fashion after dropping into the UEFA Conference League qualifiers, drawing Slovakian side DAC 1904.
The visitors finished second in the 2025/26 Nike Liga and are perhaps best remembered for their exclusion from European competition in 2025 after falling foul of UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations.
Twente left little doubt about the outcome of the tie in the first leg. Goals from Mats Rots, Marko Pjaca, Daouda Weidmann, Max Bruns, Ramiz Zerrouki and Robin Propper secured a resounding 6-0 victory in Enschede, effectively putting the tie beyond reach before the return leg.
Fixtures
- August 6: FC Twente 6-0 DAC 1904
- August 13: DAC 1904 vs FC Twente (18:00 CEST)
Play-off round
Should Twente complete the job against DAC 1904, they will be one tie away from the Conference League league phase.
Standing between them and a return to European league-stage football will be either Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv or Azerbaijani runners-up Qarabag.
Dynamo Kyiv endured a disappointing domestic campaign, finishing fourth in the Ukrainian Premier League, 15 points behind champions Shakhtar Donetsk. They defeated Universitatea Cluj on penalties in the opening round of Europa League qualifying before being knocked out by PAOK.
Qarabag, meanwhile, finished second in Azerbaijan after winning 11 of the previous 12 league titles. They comfortably beat Icelandic side Vestri in the opening qualifying round but were eliminated by CSKA Sofia on penalties in the second round.
- August 20: FC Twente/DAC 1904 vs Dynamo Kyiv/Qarabag (time TBC)
- August 27: Dynamo Kyiv/Qarabag vs FC Twente/DAC 1904 (time TBC)
One tie from Europe
FC Twente have already put one foot in the Conference League play-offs thanks to their commanding first-leg victory over DAC 1904.
If they finish the job in Slovakia, only one final qualifying tie will separate the Dutch side from a return to the UEFA Conference League league phase.
After last season’s memorable European campaign, Twente will be determined to ensure their return to continental football is more than just a one-off.
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