The quiet hum of the offseason is fading fast. For a pair of clubs, the sound of the new football season is already a roar. They are about to kick off the 2025/26 campaign officially, ahead of most others. These early starts mean everything is under the microscope, including the men in the middle. The European football body has just named the referees for these crucial opening matches.
For one team, their path into the Europa League begins with a trip to Bulgaria. They face Levski Sofia this Thursday at 6:30 PM. The referee for that first leg will be Italy’s Matteo Marchetti. He’ll have a countryman, Michael Fabbri, overseeing the Video Assistant Referee system. The return leg, set for July 31st, promises a vibrant atmosphere at home. That 8:00 PM kick-off will be handled by Belgian official Lothar D’hondt. Another Belgian, Jan Boterberg, will be on VAR duty for that match.
Meanwhile, another club is ready for their own European adventure in the Conference League. Their journey starts away from home, in Croatia, against Varazdin. That game kicks off at 7:00 PM on Thursday. Swiss referee Luca Cibelli has been appointed for this fixture. Here’s a key detail: there will be no VAR system in place for these early Conference League ties. This puts even more pressure on the officials. The second leg, at their home ground, is also on July 31st at 7:00 PM. Belgian referee Jasper Vergoote will be in charge of that decisive home game.
