Europa Conference League draw: Chelsea discover potential opponents

Chelsea will kick off their European campaign earlier than usual as they secured a spot in the Europa Conference League for the upcoming season.

Manchester United’s victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May secured Europa League qualification for Erik ten Hag’s side after they finished eighth in the Premier League.

United’s 2-1 win at Wembley meant that Chelsea, who finished sixth in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino last season, dropped into the Europa Conference League.

And Chelsea’s campaign in the tournament starts this month as they enter the competition at the play-off round stage.

Chelsea will need to play a two-legged tie in order to secure a place in the league stage.

The winner of Europa Conference League third-qualifying round tie:

Botev Plovdid (BUL) or Zrinjski Mostar (BOS)

Maribor (SVN) or Vojvodina (SRB)

Ruzomberok (SVK) or Hajduk Split (CRO)

Osijek (CRO) or Zira (AZE)

Spartak Trnava (SVK) or Wisla Krakow (POL)

Ararat-Armenia (ARM) or Puskas Akadenua (HUN)

Kilmarnock (SCO) or Tromso (NOR)

St Mirren (SCO) or Brann (NOR)

St Gallen (SUI) or Slask Wroclaw (POL)

Auda (LAT) or Drita (KOS)

Hacken (SWE) or Paide Linnameeskond (EST)

CSKA 1948 (BUL) or Pafos (CYP)

Paks (HUN) or Mornar (MNE)

St Patrick’s Athletic (IRE) or Sabah (AZE)

The loser of Europa League third-qualifying round tie:

Braga (POR) or Servette (SUI)

Partizan Belgrade (SRB) or Lugano (SUI)

Panathinaikos (GRE) or Ajax (NED)

Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih (UKR) or Viktoria Plzen (CZE)

Rijeka (CRO) or Elfsborg (SWE)

The draw for the Europa Conference League play-off round will be held on August 5 at 1pm, while the two play-off fixtures will take place on August 22 and 29.

The draw for the league phase will be held on August 30.

Chelsea are currently in the United States for the final two games of their pre-season tour of the United States.

Enzo Maresca’s side have already drawn 2-2 with Wrexham, been beaten 4-1 by Celtic and ran out 3-0 winners against Club America.

They are due to face Manchester City in Ohio on Saturday before finishing their tour against Real Madrid in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 7.

Chelsea begin their Premier League season at home to Manchester City on August 18.

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