Crystal Palace Set to Clash with Dynamo Kyiv, Strasbourg, and AZ in Conference League
Crystal Palace gear up for historic Conference League debut
On August 29, 2025, the UEFA Conference League draw in Monaco handed Crystal Palace a thrilling challenge for their first European campaign. The London club will face Dynamo Kyiv (away), Strasbourg (away), AZ Alkmaar (home), KuPS Kuopio (home), AEK Larnaca (home), and Shelbourne (away).
Palace, fresh off their FA Cup victory last season, will host Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, who reached the UEFA Cup final in 1981 and the Conference League semi-finals in 2023. They’ll also welcome Finnish champions KuPS Kuopio and Cypriot Cup holders AEK Larnaca to Selhurst Park. Away trips include Lublin, Poland, where Dynamo Kyiv host matches due to Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, and Dublin to face Irish champions Shelbourne.
Despite their FA Cup success, Palace dropped to the Conference League after UEFA flagged multi-club ownership issues involving American businessman John Textor, who held influence over both Palace and Lyon. With Lyon ranking higher in Ligue 1, Nottingham Forest replaced Palace in the Europa League. Textor’s attempt to sell his 43% stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson missed UEFA’s deadline.
Having defeated Norway’s Fredrikstad in the playoff round, Oliver Glasner’s squad aims to emulate Chelsea’s Conference League triumph last season. The league phase kicks off on October 2, 2025, and wraps up on December 18, 2025. The final will take place in Leipzig, Germany, on May 27, 2026. UEFA will announce finalized fixture details soon.
Visit Socapredict.com for expert predictions, betting tips, and updates on Crystal Palace’s Conference League journey!
Qualified Teams for 2025/26 Conference League (Alphabetical Order):
Aberdeen (SCO), AEK Athens (GRE), AEK Larnaca (CYP), AZ Alkmaar (NED), Breidablik (ICE), Celje (SLO), Crystal Palace (ENG), Drita (KOS), Fiorentina (ITA), Genk (BEL), Hacken (SWE), Hamrun (MLT), Jagiellonia (POL), KuPS (FIN), Lausanne (SUI), Legia (POL), Lincoln Red Imps (GIB), Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR), Mainz (GER), Noah (ARM), Omonia (CYP), Rakow (POL), Rayo Vallecano (ESP), Rijeka (CRO), Samsunspor (TUR), Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR), Shamrock Rovers (IRL), Shelbourne (IRL), Shkendija (MKD), Sigma Olomouc (CZE), SK Rapid (AUT), Slovan Bratislava (SVK), Sparta Prague (CZE), Strasbourg (FRA), CS Universitatea Craiova (ROU), Zrinjski (BIH).