Sabah FK Azerbaijan news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Sabah FK, founded in 2017, make their Champions League debut at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
The Azerbaijani champions are the youngest club ever to reach the league phase.
Background
Sabah FK was formed in 2017, linked to an Azerbaijani education ministry project, and entered the top-flight Premier League in 2018. Under coach Valdas Dambrauskas, the club won both the Azerbaijan Premier League title and the Azerbaijan Cup in the 2025–26 season. They then came through Champions League qualifying — beating The New Saints, KuPS, AGF and Hapoel Beer Sheva — to reach the league phase for the first time.
How it unfolded
- 2017Sabah FK is founded in Azerbaijan, three years after the 'Sabah groups' education project was formed.
- May 2018After one season in the First Division, Sabah are granted a top-tier Premier League license.
- 2025 –26 seasonSabah win both the Azerbaijan Premier League title and the Azerbaijan Cup.
- Jul 2026Sabah begin Champions League qualifying, beating The New Saints 4-1 on aggregate.
- Sep 8, 2026UEFA publishes a feature on Sabah and coach Dambrauskas reaching the Champions League.
- Sep 10, 2026Sabah play their first Champions League league-phase match, away at Manchester United.
Who’s saying what
- Coach
- Dambrauskas says ordinary fans did not expect Sabah's success and even in Azerbaijan people doubted they could reach the league phase, but inside the club they knew they were capable.
- Analysts
- AS notes Sabah are generally viewed as one of the better-funded clubs in Azerbaijan, with their rapid rise and modern facilities suggesting backing beyond a typical newly formed club.
- Caution
- CBS Sports says United face pressure to win big at Old Trafford before the Manchester derby, managing key injuries.
Still unverified
AS reports that Sabah's rapid rise and spending suggest backing beyond what a typical newly formed club could afford; this is a characterization, not a confirmed fact.