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.
Fenerbahçe's Romelu Lukaku in action during the UEFA Champions League first leg match against Olympique Lyonnais at Chobani Stadium, Istanbul, Aug. 18, 2026. (AA Photo)
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.
