Europa League draw details, potential opponents, squad and financial rules explained | OneFootball

Sunderland will play in the Europa League next season after a final-day win at Chelsea secured their first European spot since 1973, with Brighton bound for the Conference League. Sunderland Echo reports other results confirmed it.

Seventh, not eighth, sends Sunderland straight into the league phase. They are guaranteed eight games, four at home and four away, while Brighton must qualify for the Conference League.

Europa League qualifying finishes on 27 August, the draw follows on 28 August, and matchweek one begins on 16-17 September.

Teams are seeded into four pots by coefficient and drawn to face two from each, one home and one away. After eight games, top eight reach the last 16, 16th-24th play off, the bottom eight exit.

Sunderland’s seeding is unclear and likely outside the top pot. Possible opponents already in include Bayer Leverkusen, Marseille, AC Milan and Juventus, with Benfica and Besiktas among qualifiers.

Direct entry brings at least four lucrative home dates. Last season UEFA paid £3.7 million for participation, plus £389,000 per win, and a deep run could add about £20 million.

Clubs in Europe can spend only 70% of revenue on first-team costs, compared with 85% for Premier League sides outside Europe. Florent Ghisolfi must strengthen within those limits.

UEFA squads allow 25 List A players, including eight homegrown, split between club-trained and association-trained. Under 21s with two uninterrupted years at the club since the age of 15 can be on List B, which Sunderland must weigh in recruitment.

Source: Sunderland Echo