FK Vardar host KuPS at the Toše Proeski Arena on 7 July 2026 in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie. Vardar are back in European competition for the first time since their 2017/18 campaign, which took them as far as the third qualifying round and they come in as newly crowned Macedonian champions with 83 points from 32 domestic matches. KuPS arrive as Veikkausliiga leaders after 15 games, though taking a result in Skopje before the return leg on 14 July in Kuopio is a different kind of test from anything the Finnish league has asked of them. Cristian Fabbiani takes charge of his first match for Vardar after replacing Goce Sedloski in late May, while Miika Nuutinen has led KuPS since the start of 2026 following a successful stint at HJK. The two coaches have never met, so there is no prior record for either side to game plan around.
Vardar arrive with seven straight wins across all competitions, scoring 23 goals and conceding just one. Their home record over the past season is almost freakish: unbeaten in 19 of their last 21 matches at the Toše Proeski Arena, averaging more than two goals per game, with one of the tightest defensive records in the region. KuPS have scored 11 times in their last five matches and sit atop the Veikkausliiga with 30 points, their recent run of form capped by a 4-0 win at HJK Helsinki. They have shown vulnerability when conceding early in knockout ties which is worth bearing in mind given how quickly Vardar tend to get off the mark at home.
Neither side reports major injury concerns and both managers are expected to field their strongest lineups. Vardar are likely to set up in a 4-2-3-1, with Taleski in goal behind a back four of Jankulov, Matic, Velkovski and Najdovski. Babunski and Nikolov should anchor midfield, with Todorovski, Danev and Zakaric supporting lone striker Omeragic. KuPS are expected to line up in a 4-3-3, with Kreidl in goal behind Antwi, Magassa, Lotjonen and Puukko and Pennanen, Engvall and Gasc in midfield with Armah and Heiskanen ready to run in behind the full-backs.
Vardar press high at home and are well drilled on defensive transitions and set pieces, with Omeragic leading the line up front. KuPS build through midfield and look to release Armah and Heiskanen in behind the full-backs. The central battle between Babunski and Nikolov against Pennanen and Gasc will shape the tempo while Omeragic's movement against Magassa and Lotjonen will be worth watching.
The clubs have never met at senior level and Vardar's previous UCL qualifying runs ended in the third round after narrow home wins followed by heavy defeats away from home. KuPS have a recent pattern of giving up first leg advantages in subsequent ties, which may push Nuutinen toward a cautious approach in Skopje.
Vardar use organised routines from set pieces and their home crowd is loud and consistent, while KuPS get their main set piece threat from Pennanen's delivery and Moreno's aerial presence. If Vardar score early, their defensive record and the noise at the Toše Proeski Arena are factors KuPS will need to manage, so staying level deep into the match is the visitors' priority if they want to take anything back to Finland.
Vardar's home record (19 unbeaten in 21 at the Toše Proeski Arena) makes them the likely winners of the first leg and Omeragic or a set piece should get them on the board early. KuPS have the quality to hit back, though and their 4-0 win at HJK shows they can score away from home. The visitors are capable of punishing Vardar's high line late through Moreno and Pennanen. A 2-2 draw looks the most likely outcome: Vardar dominant for long stretches, KuPS dangerous enough in transition to deny them a lead going into the return in Kuopio.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
