The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League is set to kick off with a thrilling first qualifying round, and the cast of characters is as diverse as ever. From a LinkedIn-recruited World Cup hero to a club founded by children, here are the most fascinating underdogs ready to make their mark.
Start with Shamrock Rovers’ Roberto Lopes, the Cape Verde international who was scouted via a LinkedIn message and became a breakout star at the 2026 World Cup. His club, meanwhile, is already preparing for Champions League duty, just 38 days after PSG’s victory over Arsenal in last season’s final.
Then there’s FC Mondercange from Luxembourg, who rose from the third division to national champions in just three seasons—a feat only matched by Ludogorets. Club president Carlos Teixeira, a construction entrepreneur, built their stadium and even offered players jobs in a semi-pro league.
Borac Banja Luka, champions of Bosnia-Herzegovina, represent the Serb-majority Republika Srpska and have become a symbol of pride in a divided nation. They reached the Conference League knockout phase, a first for their country.
In Romania, CS Universitatea Craiova emerged from a bitter split with FC U Craiova 1948 to win the SuperLiga, while their rivals faced a 106-point penalty and expulsion.
Kairat from Kazakhstan set a Champions League record for longest away journey (nearly 9,000 miles round trip to Lisbon) and even held Arsenal to a 2-3 loss. But after finishing bottom of the league phase, they’ll need to replace star striker Dastan Satpaev, who joined Chelsea.
From the wind-swept Faroe Islands, KÍ Klaksvík are on a two-year unbeaten league run, and they famously invited visiting fans for tea during their Conference League campaign. They became the first Faroese club to win a European match.
Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps—named after Lincoln City—are the ultimate big fish in a small pond, with 30 league titles. They once beat Celtic 1-0 in Champions League qualifying, proving Gibraltarian clubs can compete.
The New Saints (TNS) are based in England but dominate Welsh football, with 18 league titles and a European record 27 consecutive top-flight wins. Their outspoken owner Mike Harris adds to their notoriety.
Vardar from North Macedonia are unpredictable: 12 league titles but two relegations, including one as reigning champions. They bounced back to win the title again last season.
Finally, Víkingur Reykjavík were founded by children in 1908, with a 12-year-old chairman. After a century of obscurity, they’ve won three league titles in seven years and became the first Icelandic club to reach a European group stage, even beating Panathinaikos.
These clubs embody the spirit of the Champions League—where dreams are forged in the most unlikely places. The 2026-27 journey begins now.