Benfica officially begins the season this Thursday, 23 July, at 7:00 PM, at the Kybunpark (AFG Arena) in Switzerland, against St. Gallen, in the first leg of the second qualifying round for access to the league phase of the Europa League.

It will be the first official meeting between the two clubs. The Reds will face the winner of the most recent edition of the Swiss Cup, which finished 2nd — with 70 points in 38 games, 5 fewer than champions FC Thun — in the Swiss Championship.

Third place in the Liga Betclic 2025/26 puts Benfica on the path of the qualifying rounds for access to the league phase of the 2026/27 Europa League, where they will have to navigate a qualifying route (2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds and play-off).

The UEFA Referees Committee has appointed Italian referee Luca Pairetto (42 years old) to officiate the first-leg match of the second qualifying round for access to the Europa League league phase between Benfica and St. Gallen. The refereeing team for the match is also made up of his compatriots Stefano Alassio and Valerio Colarossi as assistant referees, and Giovanni Ayroldi in the role of fourth official. Daniele Doveri will act as video assistant referee (VAR), and Paolo Mazzoleni will be the AVAR.