Kota Kinabalu: Football fans in Sabah may do a double take at an upcoming Champions League fixture at Old Trafford — Manchester United will face “Sabah” on Sept 10, but it is the Azerbaijani club rather than Sabah FC of Malaysia.
UEFA lists Manchester United against Sabah FC of Azerbaijan in the opening round of the 2026/27 Champions League league phase, with the match scheduled at Old Trafford.
It will be the first meeting between the clubs and neither has previously faced a team from the other’s country, while the match will also mark Manchester United’s 300th European Cup appearance.
The Azerbaijani side, based in Masazir and nicknamed the Owls, are making their Champions League league-phase debut after overcoming The New Saints, KuPS Kuopio, Aarhus and Hapoel Beer-Sheva in qualifying.
Official hospitality provider Champions Travel has also promoted the fixture as “Manchester United welcome Sabah to Old Trafford”, a description likely to catch the attention of Malaysian football fans familiar with the Sabah name.
