According to UEFA rules for the Conference League, the player registration deadline for the second qualifying round expired at 23:59 on July 17. Because the loan agreement between Barcelona and Ajax for Marc-André ter Stegen was not finalized in time, the Barcelona goalkeeper will be unable to play in the matches against Vojvodina Novi Sad. The first leg is scheduled for July 23, with the return leg on July 30 at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena.
If Ajax and Barcelona reach an agreement within July, Ter Stegen could participate in the third qualifying round of the Conference League, provided Ajax qualifies. The registration deadline for this stage is midnight on July 31.
There will be a separate registration period for the fourth and final qualifying round extending to August 14. To reach the group stage, Ajax must clear three rounds. The group stage draw is set for August 28 in Montecarlo, with Getafe as the only Spanish club left in the competition.
In the Eredivisie, Ajax will open their season on August 9 against Zwolle, marking one of the earliest starts among Europe’s top domestic leagues following the completion of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
