Hibernians will be participating in the UEFA Champions League while Gzira United, Birkirkara and Mosta will take part in the new UEFA Europa Conference League after UEFA denied champions Hamrun Spartans access to the UEFA Champions League.
The Member Clubs Licensing Board of the Malta Football Association had granted the Spartans the UEFA licence after they met the licensing criteria established by UEFA. However following a report by an independent UEFA IEthics Officer, the European body decided against. This was due to the case when the club was found guilty of match-fixing and two members of the club committee were handed a life ban in 2012/13.
Hibernians will be one of the unseeded teams in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champons League along with Riga FC (LAT), HJK Helsinki (FIN), Linfield (NIR), CS Fola Esch (LUX), Shakhtior Saligorsk (BLR), Neftchi Baku (AZE), Maccabi Haifa (ISR), Shamrock Rovers (IRE), Connah’s Quay (WAL), Valur Reykjavik (ICE), Bodo/Glimt (NOR), Mura Murska Sobota (SLO), Teuta Durres (ALB), FK Borac Banja Luka (BOS) and the winner of the preliminary round.
The seeded teams and therefore possible opponents for the Paolites are: Dinamo Zagreb (CRO), Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL), Malmo (SWE), CFR Cluj (ROM), Legia Warsaw (POL), Sheriff Tiraspol (MOL), Ferencvaros (HUN), Shkendija Tetovo (MAC), Slovan Bratislava (SVK), Zalgiris Vilnius (LIT), Alashkert (ARM), Flora Tallinn (EST), Buducnost Podgorica (MNE), Kairat Almaty (KAZ) and Lincoln Red Imps (GIB).
