Mourinho's Fenerbahce Faces Feyenoord in UCL Third Qualifying Round

Fenerbahce, managed by José Mourinho, has been drawn against Dutch club Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round for the 2025-26 season. The two-legged tie will begin in Rotterdam on August 5 or 6, with the return leg in Istanbul on August 12, and the winner will advance to the playoff round for a place in the lucrative Champions League group stage. Both teams finished behind their respective domestic champions last season, with Fenerbahce as Turkish league runners-up and Feyenoord finishing third in the Eredivisie. Feyenoord's manager, former Fenerbahce player Robin van Persie, adds an emotional subplot to the clash as he returns to Istanbul in a coaching role. The loser of this tie will drop into the Europa League playoffs, ensuring continued European competition. This fixture marks the first competitive European meeting between the two clubs, with tactical approaches expected to feature cautious play by Fenerbahce away and a more aggressive style from Feyenoord at home.