2025/26 Europa League: Meet the quarter-finalists

Eight teams remain in the hunt to win the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League following the conclusion of the knockout phase play-offs.

Here's an in-depth look at the contenders.

UEFA coefficient rankings accurate as of 20 March.

Quarter-finalists

Aston Villa (ENG)

Quarter-finals: vs Bologna
UEFA coefficient ranking: 24
How they qualified: Sixth in England
Last season: Champions League quarter-finals (L4-5agg vs Paris)
League phase position: 2
Round of 16: 3-0agg vs Lille
Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Quarter-finals (1977/78, 1997/98, 2025/26)

European Cup winners in 1982, Villa have never progressed beyond the quarter-final stage of this competition, though they did reach the semis of the 2023/24 Conference League and the final eight of last season's Champions League. Coach Unai Emery has won the Europa League four times – three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal – making him the most successful manager in the competition's history.

John Atkin, Aston Villa reporter: Unai Emery's side have had their ups and downs this season but, at least on paper, their Europa League campaign has been relatively plain sailing. Seven wins out of eight in the league phase earned them second place behind Lyon and they notched up another two against Lille in the last 16. Six of their nine victories to date have come by the odd goal, but finding a way is a good habit to have in knockout competition – just ask four-time Europa League winner Emery.

Bologna (ITA)

Quarter-finals: vs Aston Villa
UEFA coefficient ranking: 71
How they qualified: Cup winners in Italy
Last season: Champions League league phase (28/36)
League phase position: 10
Knockout phase play-off: 2-0agg vs Brann
Round of 16: 5-4agg vs Roma, aet
Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Semi-finals (1998/99)

It has been a memorable few years for Bologna, who made a debut appearance in the Champions League last season before going on to win the Italian Cup for the first time since 1974 with a 1-0 triumph over Milan in May. Not since the 1990s have I Rossoblù (the Red and Blues) played knockout European football, and having eliminated Serie A rivals Roma in dramatic style in the round of 16, things are looking very good indeed.

Paolo Menicucci, Bologna reporter: Bologna have gone a club record 11 European games unbeaten since their lost their league phase opener against their quarter-final opponents Aston Villa. After a wobble in January and February, the Rossoblù are back to playing scintillating football, with their 4-3 win at Roma in the round of 16 decider a tour de force. Coach Vincenzo Italiano is yet to lose a single European two-legged tie, having reached the Conference League final twice with Fiorentina before joining Bologna.

Braga (POR) 

Quarter-finals: vs Real Betis
UEFA coefficient ranking: 41
How they qualified: Qualifying play-offs
Last season: League phase (25/36)
League phase position: 6
Round of 16: 4-2agg vs Ferencváros
Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Runners-up (2010/11)

Finalists in 2011, Braga were only denied a place in the knockout phase of last season's competition on goal difference, as they finished 25th in the inaugural league phase on ten points. The Arsenalistas had managed to equal that tally by Matchday 5 this time around, and picked up 17 points to finish sixth in the league phase under the guidance of Pep Guardiola's former assistant at Manchester City, Carlos Vicens.

Inês De Oliveira Martins, Braga reporter: Braga's campaign has been characterised by resilience and belief. From the start, they have showed attacking intent and a willingness to compete with Europe's top sides. Key victories in the league phase kept their challenge alive, and they faced down adversity in the round of 16, overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Ferencváros with a 4-0 home success. They have found their feet and their team spirit, and look increasingly comfortable on the European stage.

Celta (ESP)

Quarter-finals: vs Freiburg
UEFA coefficient ranking: 103
How they qualified: Seventh in Spain
Last season: Not in European competition
League phase position: 16
Knockout phase play-off: 3-1agg vs PAOK
Round of 16: 3-1agg vs Lyon
Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Semi-finals (2016/17)

From the city of Vigo in Galicia, Celta take their name from the Celts – the tribe that once apparently inhabited this part of northwestern Spain. Os Celestes (The Sky Blues) have yet to win a major domestic trophy, but strong finishes in La Liga have made them regulars in UEFA competition, notably reaching the Europa League semi-finals in 2016/17.

Andrea De Ferrater, Celta reporter: Os Celestes are into the quarter-finals for the first time since their run to the 2016/17 semis. Claudio Giráldez's side have impressed with an energetic, brave style, combining possession with quick transitions. The knockout phase play-off victory over PAOK highlighted their character, while their disciplined display against Lyon – including a long spell with ten men – showcased their defensive resilience. Blending the experience of Iago Aspas and Borja Iglesias with emerging academy talents, Celta have built momentum and belief during a fine European campaign.

Freiburg (GER)

Quarter-finals: vs Celta
UEFA coefficient ranking: 51
How they qualified: Fifth in Germany
Last season: Not in European competition
League phase position: 7
Round of 16: 5-2agg vs Genk
Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Round of 16 (2022/23, 2023/24)

After battling their way up to the Bundesliga in the 1990s, Freiburg were nicknamed the Breisgau-Brazilians for their attractive style of play. Current coach Julian Schuster spent ten years at the club as a midfielder, then worked as assistant to his predecessor Christian Streich before taking command in 2024. Five league phase victories and two draws secured a top eight position for the German team, and they overwhelmed Genk at home in the round of 16, a game in which Vincenzo Grifo scored his 106th goal for his side: a club record.

Judith Tuffentsammer, Freiburg reporter: Freiburg have made it through to the Europa League quarter-finals for the first time in their history. They have been a defensive powerhouse in this year’s competition, boasting the best defence in the league phase and conceding six goals in their ten matches to date, while winning all five of their home games. Perennial underdogs, Julian Schuster’s men always have something to prove and have been showing their best side in Europe.

Nottingham Forest (ENG)

Quarter-finals: vs Porto
UEFA coefficient ranking: 84
How they qualified: Seventh in England
Last season: Not in European competition
League phase position: 13
Knockout phase play-off: 4-2agg vs Fenerbahçe
Round of 16: 2-2agg vs Midtjylland, Forest win 3-0 on pens
Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Semi-finals (1983/84)

Under the inspirational leadership of manager Brian Clough, Forest were European Champions in 1979 and 1980. This is their first continental campaign since they reached the quarter-finals of the 1995/96 UEFA Cup. The club was founded in 1865 by athletes who had been playing the traditional gaelic sport of shinty but were keen to switch to football.

Steve Bates, Forest reporter: It has been a complicated season for Forest, with Vítor Pereira their fourth coach of the campaign following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglu and then Sean Dyche. The Europa League has been a safe haven from the stresses of Premier League football, though there was nothing relaxing about their round of 16 success against Midtjylland, the Danish side only succumbing on penalties after Forest overturned a 1-0 deficit in Herning.

Porto (POR)

Quarter-finals: vs Nottingham Forest
UEFA coefficient ranking: 19
How they qualified: Third in Portugal
Last season: Knockout phase play-offs (L3-4agg vs Roma)
League phase position: 5
Round of 16: 4-1agg vs Stuttgart
Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Winners (2002/03, 2010/11)

Named the Dragons for the mythical creature that appears at the top of their club crest, Porto are one of Portugal's big three (along with Benfica and Sporting CP). They have won 30 league titles and were champions of Europe in 1986/87 and 2003/04, as well as winning the 2002/03 UEFA Cup and 2010/11 Europa League.

Carlos Machado, Porto reporter: Porto are back in the last eight for the first time since 2014 and have big ambitions in this competition. They have been impressive this season and now, at this late stage of the tournament, will believe they are genuine contenders to go all the way, as they did most recently in 2011. Physically impressive and capable of absorbing pressure, Porto have a big squad with plenty of quality and high standards

Real Betis (ESP)

Quarter-finals: vs Panathinaikos
UEFA coefficient ranking: 23
How they qualified: Sixth in Spain
Last season: Conference League runners-up (L1-4 vs Chelsea)
League phase position: 4
Round of 16:
Best UEFA Cup/Europa League performance: Round of 16 (2005/06, 2013/14, 2021/22, 2022/23)

Real Betis's name comes from Baetis - the Roman name for the River Guadalquivir which flows through their native Seville. Spanish title winners back in 1934/35, Betis were runners-up in the 2024/25 Conference League final, and are looking to prosper in a competition their neighbours Sevilla have won a record seven times.

Simon Hart, Real Betis reporter: With the confidence gained from last year’s run to the Conference League final, Betis have made assured progress to their first-ever Europa League quarter-final starting with a fourth-place finish in the league phase. At their temporary home of La Cartuja they are unbeaten, with four wins out of five – and the way they dismantled Panathinaikos 4-0 in their last-16 second leg showed a team with confidence as well as the class exhibited by players like Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli, their exciting, impactful wingers.