Sports
Brazil’s road to 6th World Cup glory runs through fearless Norway
Brazil’s quest for a record-extending sixth FIFA World Cup title enters its most demanding stage yet when the five-time champions take on an inspired Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
On paper, Brazil remain one of the favorites. On form, however, Norway have become one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams.
Making their first World Cup appearance since 1998, the Scandinavians have paired defensive discipline with attacking quality to emerge as genuine dark horses, led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.
History also favors the underdogs. Norway have never lost to Brazil, recording two wins and two draws in four previous meetings, including a famous 2-1 victory during the group stage of the 1998 World Cup.
That unbeaten record has only strengthened belief within a squad already enjoying one of the greatest runs in Norwegian football history.
Brazil topped Group C without defeat before surviving a stern test against Japan in the Round of 32.
Gabriel Martinelli’s late winner secured a 2-1 victory, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side have yet to produce the dominant performances many expected.
While Vinicius Jr. has remained Brazil’s biggest attacking threat, questions persist over the team’s midfield balance and vulnerability to quick counterattacks.
Those concerns have been compounded by injuries.
Lucas Paqueta has been ruled out after suffering a thigh injury against Japan, depriving Brazil of one of their most creative midfielders.
Winger Raphinha has returned to training after his own thigh problem but remains doubtful to start, while Neymar continues to build fitness after recovering from a calf injury.
The veteran has made substitute appearances during the tournament and could be handed his first start if Ancelotti believes he is ready.
Brazil are also without Rodrygo, Eder Militao, goalkeeper Ederson and Joelinton, forcing Ancelotti to rely on the impressive depth of his squad.
Alisson remains one of the tournament’s most dependable goalkeepers, while Marquinhos and Gabriel marshal the back line.
Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro are expected to anchor midfield, with Vinicius Jr., Martinelli, Endrick and Matheus Cunha providing Brazil with pace, creativity and goals in attack.
Norway, meanwhile, arrive in New Jersey full of confidence after eliminating Ivory Coast 2-1 in the Round of 32.
Antonio Nusa opened the scoring before Haaland struck the decisive goal late in the match to continue his outstanding tournament.
The Manchester City striker has scored five goals and sits among the competition’s leading scorers. Yet despite Norway’s remarkable run, Haaland remains grounded about the challenge awaiting his team.
“Very slim,” he said when asked about Norway’s chances against Brazil. “Nobody expected us to get this far. Brazil awaits in the last 16. It will be a fantastic challenge.”
Manager Stale Solbakken has another important advantage. After rotating key players during the group stage, Norway enter the knockout round with a fully fit squad.
Captain Odegaard has controlled matches with his vision and passing, while Nusa, Alexander Sorloth, Oscar Bobb and Jorgen Strand Larsen have given Norway impressive attacking depth around Haaland.
Defender Kristoffer Ajer has led a disciplined back line that has frustrated opponents throughout the tournament, while goalkeeper Orjan Nyland has provided consistency between the posts.
Norway’s remarkable campaign has also captured the imagination of fans beyond the field.
Their synchronized “Viking Row” celebration, performed by supporters before being adopted by the players after victories, has become one of the defining images of the World Cup. The celebration symbolizes the unity surrounding a team that has inspired a nation.
“It has been an extraordinary journey,” Haaland said after Norway’s victory over Ivory Coast. “It is incredible to see the fans with tears in their eyes. Everything is a bonus now.”
Sunday’s contest promises an intriguing tactical battle. Brazil are expected to dominate possession and attack through Vinicius Jr.’s pace and individual brilliance, while Neymar’s experience could prove decisive if he starts or comes off the bench.
Norway, however, have shown they are comfortable defending in a compact shape before breaking quickly through Odegaard’s creativity and Haaland’s devastating finishing. Their physical presence and threat from set pieces could also test a Brazilian defense that has occasionally looked vulnerable under pressure.
Serena Williams’ return to the U.S. Open after a four-year absence and Carlos Alcaraz’s comeback to competitive tennis after a four-month injury layoff brought cheers, excitement and a wave of nostalgia to Flushing Meadows.
The celebration, however, was short-lived.
Williams and Alcaraz were eliminated from the mixed doubles quarterfinals Tuesday, losing to Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli 5-4 (4), 4-1.
Cobolli had dubbed their opponents before the match “the queen of tennis and the king of now,” a fitting description for a star-studded pairing with eight U.S. Open singles titles between them.
Williams and Alcaraz had thrilled the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd in their opening match, overcoming a slow start to beat Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool 5-3, 4-1. The fans were firmly behind the high-profile duo throughout the contest.
“I never expected to be back on this court,” Williams said after playing at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2022. “I never thought this would happen.”
Now, attention turns to whether Williams will make another appearance at the tournament, potentially alongside her older sister, Venus, in women’s doubles.
The Williams sisters have won the U.S. Open twice and captured 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, making a reunion on the court one of the tournament’s most anticipated possibilities.
Serena, who is back playing tennis at age 44, does not plan to play singles.
Williams, in her latest mixed doubles appearance, hit some vintage shots that looked straight out of her prime. She won the U.S. Open mixed doubles title with Max Mirnyi in 1998.
Early on, she carried Alcaraz, the 23-year-old defending champion who is ranked No. 3 in the world and was clearly rusty in his first competitive action since April 14.
“I think everybody could see: I double-faulted on the first point,” said Alcaraz, who missed the French Open and Wimbledon because of a right wrist injury and wore a sleeve on that arm. “I was really, really nervous. I was out for four months … I almost forget how it feels.”
Fans chanted, “Come on, Carlos!” and “Let’s go, Serena, let’s go!” But the pair was overpowered by Bencic and Cobolli, letting a first-set tiebreaker slip away before being dominated in the second.
Cobolli acknowledged being tight because Williams and Alcaraz were on the other side of the net. Bencic said Williams tried to intimidate her by telling her she speaks Italian better.
“It was surreal to play against Carlos,” Bencic said. “Sometimes I was just standing at the volley or the return, and I was like, ‘How did I end up on this court?’ I don’t really know. Just a huge honor. Obviously, you can feel both of their auras.”
The matches in the first three rounds feature sets played to four games, with a tiebreaker at 4-all and a 10-point tiebreaker instead of a third set. Only the final Wednesday night will resemble a regular match, with traditional sets played to six games.
The champions will receive $1 million in the second year of the new mixed doubles format, which is designed to attract top players.
Joining Bencic and Cobolli in the semifinals are Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, and Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik.
Trabzonspor travel to Hungary on Thursday needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Ferencvaros to keep their UEFA Europa League campaign alive and end a two-year wait for a victory in European competition.
The Turkish side lost the first leg in Trabzon last week after Kristoffer Zachariassen headed Ferencvaros in front in the 17th minute. The Hungarian champions then protected their advantage effectively, while Trabzonspor’s task became even harder when Chibuike Nwaiwu was sent off in stoppage time.
Trabzonspor must now win at Groupama Arena to advance to the Europa League league phase. A one-goal victory would send the tie to extra time, while any other defeat or a draw would eliminate the Turkish club.
The second leg will also mark Trabzonspor’s 157th appearance in European competition.
The Black Sea club have won 56 of their previous 156 European matches, along with 39 draws and 61 defeats. They have scored 194 goals and conceded 210 since making their continental debut in the 1976-77 season.
Trabzonspor’s European record includes 30 matches in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, 98 in the UEFA Cup/Europa League, 12 in the European Cup Winners’ Cup, eight in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and eight in the UEFA Conference League.
99th Europa League appearance
Thursday’s match will be Trabzonspor’s 99th game in the UEFA Cup and Europa League, Europe’s second-tier club competition.
The club first competed in the UEFA Cup during the 1982-83 season against Kaiserslautern and have since recorded 38 wins, 22 draws and 38 losses in 98 matches. Trabzonspor have scored 130 goals and conceded 132 in the competition.
A victory in Budapest would carry additional significance because Trabzonspor have not won a European match since Aug. 1, 2024, when they defeated Slovakian side Ruzomberok 1-0.
They have gone five European matches without a win since then, recording two draws and three defeats.
Trabzonspor advanced past Ruzomberok in the 2024-25 Europa League qualifying campaign but were eliminated by Rapid Vienna in the third qualifying round after losing 2-0 away and 1-0 at home.
They subsequently moved into the Conference League, where they were eliminated by Swiss club St. Gallen on penalties after the second leg finished 1-1 following extra time.
The club missed out on European competition last season after finishing seventh in the Turkish Super Lig, but returned to the continental stage by winning the Turkish Cup, which earned them a place in the Europa League playoff round.
Their route to the league phase has now been complicated by the 1-0 first-leg defeat to Ferencvaros.
Ferencvaros hold the advantage
Ferencvaros arrive at Groupama Arena with confidence and a strong home record.
They have won twice and drawn once in three European matches at home this season and remain unbeaten in four matches at the stadium, including their domestic fixture.
Their qualifying campaign has already included victories over Vojvodina and Twente before they eliminated Gornik Zabrze in the previous round.
History also gives the Hungarian champions reason for optimism. Ferencvaros defeated Trabzonspor 3-2 at Groupama Arena when the teams met in the Europa League group stage during the 2022-23 season.
Coach Balazs Borbely will want his side to improve on its possession numbers from the first leg, when Ferencvaros had only 34% of the ball. Zachariassen is expected to retain his place after scoring the decisive goal, while Lenny Joseph should offer pace in attack.
Philippe Rommens and Marius Corbu are likely to operate in midfield as Ferencvaros look to control the game and force Trabzonspor to chase the tie.
Salah offers Trabzonspor a new attacking weapon
Trabzonspor will arrive in Budapest with renewed confidence after Mohamed Salah inspired a 2-1 Super Lig victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on Sunday.
Salah scored both goals in his first league start for the club, opening the scoring in the eighth minute after capitalizing on a goalkeeper’s mistake before restoring Trabzonspor’s lead three minutes into the second half.
The Egypt international’s performance provides a major boost for Fatih Tekke as Trabzonspor attempt to overturn the first-leg deficit.
Salah will also be seeking his first European goals for Trabzonspor, with his ability to attack from the right flank and create opportunities likely to pose a different problem for Ferencvaros.
Trabzonspor have won one, drawn one and lost one of their opening three matches this season, although defensive concerns remain after conceding in all three.
Nwaiwu’s suspension adds to those problems. Samet Akaydin is expected to replace the dismissed defender in central defense.
Okay Yokuslu and Arseniy Batagov were unavailable for the European squad because of their respective fitness situations, while Tim Jabol-Folcarelli remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Tekke seeks first European win as coach
The match will be another important test for Tekke, who is preparing for only his second European game as a coach.
The 48-year-old enjoyed European success as a player with Zenit St. Petersburg, winning the UEFA Cup, but he is still searching for his first continental victory from the dugout.
After beginning his coaching career with Kayseri Erciyesspor, Tekke also managed Boluspor, Manisaspor, Denizlispor, Istanbulspor, Bursaspor and Alanyaspor before taking charge of Trabzonspor and guiding the club back into European competition.
He now needs a victory in Budapest to keep that European journey alive.
There is also uncertainty surrounding Fabinho, who joined Trabzonspor on a two-year contract Monday.
The former Liverpool and Al-Ittihad midfielder has reunited with Salah in Türkiye, but his arrival only two days before the second leg makes an immediate European debut uncertain.
Beşiktaş will look to complete the job Thursday when they travel to Lithuania to face Kauno Zalgiris in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff, carrying a commanding 3-0 advantage from last week’s meeting in Istanbul.
The match at Dariaus and Gireno Stadium is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. local time.
Beşiktaş are 90 minutes away from securing a place in the Europa League league phase after producing a dominant display in the first leg. Hyeon-gyu Oh opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Michael Murillo doubled the lead six minutes later.
Orkun Kökçü then converted a penalty shortly before the hour mark to give the Black Eagles a three-goal cushion.
The result leaves Kauno Zalgiris with a huge task in the return match. The Lithuanian side must win by at least three goals to force extra time, while a four-goal victory would send them through outright.
Beşiktaş, meanwhile, will advance with a win or draw. If Kauno Zalgiris win 3-0 after 90 minutes, the tie will go to extra time, with a penalty shootout required if the aggregate score remains level.
European drought
Beşiktaş are hoping to end a year-long wait to return to the league phase of a major European competition after a disappointing campaign last season.
The Turkish side last competed in the Europa League league phase during the 2024-25 season, finishing 28th in the 36-team standings and failing to advance.
Their European campaign ended even earlier last season. Beşiktaş were eliminated by Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League qualifying rounds before losing to Lausanne in the Conference League qualifiers, leaving them without a place in either competition.
Progressing past Kauno Zalgiris would guarantee Beşiktaş a return to the Europa League league phase. If they fail to protect their first-leg advantage, they would instead continue their European campaign in the Conference League.
Uphill battle
Kauno Zalgiris have little room for error after their heavy defeat in Istanbul.
The Lithuanian champions remain competitive domestically and sit third in the A Lyga, four points behind leaders Suduva, who have played one more game. However, they were held to a 1-1 draw by TransINVEST Vilnius in their most recent league match.
Their European campaign has already exposed the challenge they face against more experienced opposition. Kauno suffered a 5-0 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League third qualifying round before losing the return leg 2-1 to exit 7-1 on aggregate.
Coach Zeljko Sopic will need a vastly improved performance if Kauno are to put Beşiktaş under sustained pressure and keep their Europa League hopes alive.
Beşiktaş also enter the match with some momentum despite their latest domestic setback. Vincenzo Italiano’s team suffered a 1-0 loss away to Corendon Alanyaspor at the weekend, but the defeat came after a strong run in Europe.
Before conceding against Alanyaspor, Beşiktaş had kept six consecutive clean sheets in all competitions. Their European record this season is even more impressive, with four matches played and four clean sheets.
Beşiktaş defeated Midtjylland 1-0 and 2-0 before beating Hradec Kralove 1-0 in both legs of their third qualifying-round tie. They then added the 3-0 victory over Kauno Zalgiris in the playoff first leg.
That defensive record, combined with their three-goal advantage, puts Beşiktaş in a strong position heading into Thursday’s match.
Italiano is also expected to rotate his squad, giving several players an opportunity while protecting key starters ahead of the club’s busy schedule.
Leonardo Trossard remains available after recovering from a knock sustained in the first leg, while new signing Dusan Vlahovic could be considered for his first start.
Second meeting between the clubs
Thursday’s match will be only the second meeting between Beşiktaş and Kauno Zalgiris.
Their first encounter came in last week’s playoff first leg, when Beşiktaş secured a comfortable 3-0 victory at home.
The tie also marks Beşiktaş’ first competitive meeting with a Lithuanian club, adding another chapter to the Turkish side’s European history.
Beşiktaş will make their 264th appearance in European club competition when they take the field in Lithuania.
The Black Eagles have recorded 102 wins, 50 draws and 111 defeats in their previous 263 European matches. They have scored 356 goals while conceding 395.
Thursday’s match will also be Beşiktaş’ 139th in the UEFA Cup and Europa League, competitions in which they have won 62, drawn 25 and lost 51 of their previous 138 matches.
They have scored 217 goals and conceded 180 in those games.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke had heroin, cocaine, morphine and multiple prescription medications in his system when he died in May, according to the full autopsy released Monday by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Clarke’s death was ruled an accident, with the medical examiner determining that the effects of heroin and cocaine caused his death. The report also listed the combined effects of multiple prescription medications as other significant conditions.
The 29-year-old Clarke was found unresponsive in a bedroom at a residence in the San Fernando Valley on May 11 and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The medical examiner had previously announced Aug. 7 that the effects of heroin and cocaine were the cause of death, but the full report provided additional details about the substances found in his system and at the residence.
Toxicology findings
The autopsy found morphine along with heroin and cocaine.
It also identified several prescription medications, including oxycodone and its metabolite oxymorphone, alprazolam, pregabalin, carisoprodol, meprobamate and metabolites associated with venlafaxine and chlorcyclizine. Mitragynine, the active compound in kratom, was also detected.
The report noted that some of the prescription medications were present at therapeutic levels. Despite the number of substances detected, the medical examiner identified heroin and cocaine as the primary cause of death and classified the manner of death as accidental.
The findings came more than two weeks after the medical examiner’s initial announcement, which said Clarke died from the effects of heroin and cocaine and that his death was accidental. The examination was conducted May 12 at the department’s Forensic Science Center.
What investigators found
According to details reported from the investigation, first responders found cannabis products, vape devices, syringes and Narcan, the medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, in the residence. Investigators also reported finding prescription medications, medication blister packs, vitamins and other medical-related items.
A plate containing an unidentified white powder was found in the kitchen, along with a hotel keycard.
Clarke’s roommate told investigators that he had a history of drug use and had previously attended rehabilitation programs.
Clarke was last seen alive around midnight, according to details included in reports on the investigation. His roommate later became concerned after Clarke’s agent was unable to reach him and checked on him at about 5 p.m. He found Clarke unresponsive, and Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced him dead at approximately 5:15 p.m. The medical examiner found no evidence of fatal traumatic injuries or foul play.
Arkansas arrest weeks before his death
Clarke’s death came about six weeks after he was arrested in Arkansas on drug and traffic-related charges.
Cross County authorities arrested him April 1 after an alleged high-speed pursuit in which he was accused of driving at more than 100 mph. He was charged with trafficking and possession of a controlled substance, fleeing while exceeding the speed limit and improper passing.
According to an arrest affidavit reported by The Commercial Appeal, authorities found more than 230 grams of kratom in his vehicle. Clarke was released on bond. The charges were allegations, and his death occurred before the case could proceed further.
The Arkansas case was separate from the investigation into Clarke’s death in California, and the autopsy did not establish a direct connection between the arrest and the fatal drug combination.
Seven seasons with Memphis
Clarke spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Grizzlies after Memphis acquired his draft rights following his selection 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The Vancouver, Canada, native played college basketball at San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga. He quickly established himself in Memphis, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds during his rookie season and finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.
Over 309 regular-season games, including 50 starts, Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds. His athleticism, energy and finishing around the basket made him a valuable part of the Grizzlies’ frontcourt during his career.
Injuries, however, increasingly limited his availability. He suffered a torn Achilles in 2023 and later underwent knee surgery before the 2025-26 season.
Clarke returned in December and played only two games, averaging four points and three rebounds, before a calf injury ended his season. Memphis had announced in March that he would miss the remainder of the campaign. He remained under contract through the 2026-27 season when he died.
The Grizzlies, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the National Basketball Players Association were among those who paid tribute to Clarke after his death, remembering him as a valued teammate and a positive presence within the Memphis community.
A group of former international players, including World Cup winners and FIFA legends, called Monday for sweeping changes at soccer’s governing body, accusing President Gianni Infantino’s leadership of losing sight of the game’s core values as pressure mounts on him ahead of next year’s election.
The group, which includes several former World Cup champions, said FIFA needs a new era of accountability and a greater role for players and fans in how the sport is governed.
“We share the exact same concerns as the millions of fans around the world,” former France World Cup winners Emmanuel Petit, Bixente Lizarazu and Robert Pires, former U.S. women’s world champion Briana Scurry and former England international Lucy Bronze said in a joint statement.
“Like them, we have watched the game we love drift away from its core values under FIFA’s current leadership. Change is necessary. Power has blurred the current leadership’s ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football.”
The statement adds to growing criticism of Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016 and is seeking another term despite opposition from some of world football’s most powerful regional bodies.
Infantino came under particular pressure after abandoning a controversial proposal to create a commercial entity for FIFA tournament rights and sell a 20% stake to private investors. UEFA and other confederations opposed the plan, with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin describing it as worse than the breakaway European Super League proposal.
“The plan is dead,” Ceferin said in an interview with the podcast The Rest is Politics: Leading. “For me, the most important thing is that we stopped another try to sell the sport.”
The dispute has fueled wider questions over Infantino’s future. Several FIFA confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, have expressed opposition to his leadership, while senior figures familiar with the discussions told Reuters last week that regional power brokers are considering whether to pursue a no-confidence vote before next year’s election.
Ceferin, who has repeatedly been mentioned as a possible successor, said he will not challenge Infantino himself but believes the FIFA president could face an opponent if he seeks another term.
Infantino is expected to run for re-election at the FIFA Congress in Morocco next year, with Nov. 18 set as the deadline for challengers to nominate.
“I think he will have a candidate against him. I don’t know yet who,” Ceferin said.
Ceferin said Infantino has two choices: recognize that he no longer has the backing of the wider football community and leave, or contest the election and face a challenger.
He stressed that the issue goes beyond the officials who ultimately cast votes.
“The political support of the football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches” also matters, he said.
Ceferin, 58, ruled himself out of the FIFA race, saying he remains committed to UEFA and would rather preserve his credibility than pursue the organization’s top job.
“I’m not interested because of two reasons,” he said. “One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here.”
The former players’ group also called on football’s wider community to take a more active role in determining the sport’s future.
“We call on all stakeholders to step forward and help reshape the future of our sport,” they said. “There are good people within FIFA who want to rebuild trust, but a new era requires a structural change: a real, direct say for players and fans in how football is run.”
The group includes former Peru forward Claudio Pizarro, former Argentina international Juan Sebastian Veron, former Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor, and FIFA legends Didier Drogba and David James.
FIFA legends are former players recognized for their contributions to the sport who support FIFA initiatives, including exhibition matches and social and charitable projects around the world.
The former players said their message was ultimately about restoring trust in an organization they believe has become too distant from the people who make the game what it is.
“Those who step onto the pitch and those who sit in the stands deserve a genuine voice to help reshape football’s future together,” they said. “For the fans, for the players, and for the good of the game, we will be silent no more.”
Reuters contacted FIFA for comment.
Ceferin also questioned the political relationship between Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom the FIFA president has developed a close relationship ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“To be honest, I think you are naive if you think that a politician like that, or any politician, is your good friend,” Ceferin said. “The moment you are a problem, you stop being a friend of a politician.”
Fenerbahçe are one victory away from ending a 17-year wait for the UEFA Champions League as they travel to face Lyon on Wednesday in the decisive leg of their playoff.
The Turkish side drew 1-1 with Lyon in the first leg in Istanbul and now need a win in France to secure a place in the Champions League league phase for the first time since the 2008-09 season. A draw would send the tie to extra time and potentially penalties.
For Fenerbahçe, the stakes go far beyond a single playoff. The club have repeatedly fallen short in qualifying and have also missed out on the competition because of UEFA sanctions, despite winning the Turkish league.
Fenerbahçe first reached the Champions League group stage in the 1996-97 season and have since appeared in the competition’s main phase six times, most recently in 2008-09.
Their best run came in 2007-08 under Brazilian coach Arthur Zico, when they reached the quarterfinals before losing to Chelsea.
That remains the club’s deepest run in the competition and one of the defining European campaigns in Fenerbahçe’s history.
Long road back
Fenerbahçe have had to navigate a particularly difficult path back to Europe’s premier club competition.
The club’s most recent Champions League appearance came 17 seasons ago. Since then, their attempts to return have repeatedly ended in the qualifying rounds.
Fenerbahçe also missed the competition despite winning the Turkish Süper Lig in 2010-11. They had qualified directly for the Champions League but were prevented from participating amid the match-fixing investigation in Turkish football.
Two years later, after being eliminated by Arsenal in the 2013-14 playoff, Fenerbahçe received a two-year UEFA ban from European competitions. They subsequently won the Süper Lig that season but were unable to enter the Champions League in 2014-15 because of the sanction.
The club have also fallen short 11 times through Champions League qualifying.
Their first such failure came in 2002-03, when Feyenoord eliminated them in the third qualifying round after 1-0 and 2-0 victories.
They were then stopped by Dinamo Kyiv in 2006-07, Young Boys in 2010-11 and Spartak Moscow in 2012-13.
In 2013-14, Fenerbahçe eliminated Salzburg to reach the playoffs but were beaten by Arsenal over two legs.
Shakhtar Donetsk ended their campaign in 2015-16, while Monaco knocked them out the following season despite Fenerbahçe winning the first leg 2-1 in Istanbul.
Benfica eliminated them in 2018-19 after a 1-0 win in Portugal was followed by a 1-1 draw in Istanbul.
Their next attempt came in 2022-23 under Jorge Jesus. Fenerbahçe drew 0-0 away to Dinamo Kyiv before losing 2-1 at home.
Another painful exit last season
The disappointment continued last season under Jose Mourinho.
Fenerbahçe advanced past Lugano in the second qualifying round and then faced Lille in the third round. After losing the first leg 2-1 in France, they won 1-0 in Istanbul to force extra time.
A late Lille equalizer ended their hopes and sent the French side through.
Fenerbahçe received another chance the following season, beating Feyenoord in the third qualifying round before meeting Benfica in the playoff.
Fenerbahçe drew 0-0 at home but lost 1-0 in Portugal, missing the league phase once again.
The defeat marked another painful chapter in the club’s long struggle to return to the competition.
European pedigree
Standing in their way this time is a Lyon side that have also endured difficult years but are showing signs of a revival.
Lyon last reached the Champions League semifinals in 2019-20, when they were eventually eliminated by Bayern Munich, who went on to win the title.
After years of financial difficulties, Lyon finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and reached the Europa League round of 16 under coach Paulo Fonseca.
Fonseca’s team also overcame Sparta Prague in this season’s third qualifying round. After losing the first leg, Lyon responded with a 3-0 victory at home before drawing in Türkiye.
They then opened their Ligue 1 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Toulouse.
History also favors Lyon in qualifying. The French club have won five of their last six two-legged Champions League qualifying ties.
They also have a strong record against Fenerbahçe, having defeated the Turkish club four times during their previous meetings in the Champions League group stage. The sides drew 0-0 in the Europa League during the 2024-25 season.
Fenerbahçe arrive under pressure
Fenerbahçe’s preparations have not been entirely smooth.
İsmail Kartal has taken charge after Domenico Tedesco replaced Mourinho, and the new coach guided the team past Gornik Zabrze and Sturm Graz in the opening qualifying rounds.
But Fenerbahçe suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to Gençlerbirliği at the start of their domestic campaign, increasing pressure on Kartal and a squad assembled with Champions League ambitions.
The team responded with a 4-2 victory over Konyaspor, offering some relief before the decisive trip to France.
Anderson Talisca has emerged as one of Fenerbahçe’s key attacking weapons, scoring in five consecutive matches and accounting for four of the team’s six goals during Champions League qualifying.
The Brazilian could again play a central role against Lyon, potentially operating as a false nine while Marco Asensio plays behind him. Romelu Lukaku and Vedat Muriqi provide alternative options up front, while Nene Dorgeles impressed off the bench in the first leg and hit the post with a long-range attempt.
Fenerbahçe will also have to manage several squad concerns. Çağlar Söyüncü has a muscular problem, goalkeeper Mert Günok remains sidelined and Jayden Oosterwolde is expected to join Roma.
Ederson has therefore retained his place in goal after starting the first leg and the league victory over Konyaspor.
Lyon are also dealing with an injury concern, with defender Moussa Niakhate struggling with an ankle problem. But Paulo Fonseca is expected to welcome back key players Tyler Morton and captain Corentin Tolisso after rotating his squad at the weekend.
Pavel Sulc has recovered from a knee issue, while Argentina international Nicolas Tagliafico is available again after his post-World Cup holiday.
Lois Openda is expected to lead Lyon’s attack.
For Fenerbahçe, Wednesday’s match represents another chance to rewrite a frustrating chapter in the club’s European history.
Six Champions League campaigns have produced 40 matches, 11 victories, six draws and 23 defeats. Their quarterfinal run in 2007-08 remains the high point.
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