Champions League qualifiers kick off in Finland

The Champions League enters its purest phase this week as the qualifying rounds begin - where national champions battle for a chance to compete among Europe's elite.

While it's been just 38 days since Paris St-Germain's dominant victory over Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena, the atmosphere shifts dramatically as the new campaign kicks off in more modest settings.

The road to Budapest 2026 begins Tuesday at 16:00 BST in Kuopio, Finland, where 28 national champion teams will compete in the first qualifying round. These clubs represent the true spirit of the competition - from established names to minnows like San Marino's Virtus, who face an eight-game marathon just to reach the league phase.

Interesting fact: Every UEFA member nation except Liechtenstein (which lacks a domestic league) and banned Russia receives at least one Champions League spot, maintaining the tournament's inclusive nature.

While most of these early starters will likely become footnotes by the time the final arrives in 326 days, their journeys embody the democratic essence of European football. BBC Sport highlights some of the compelling stories and matchups from this initial phase.