Rangers will face either Swiss side Servette or Belgian outfit KRC Genk after the Champions League QR3 draw was made – with Ibrox eyes also wandering to the upcoming Club World Cup.
The Gers will welcome the winner of the clash between Servette and Genk to Ibrox for the first leg in the third round of Champions League qualification on either the 8th or 9th of August.
Following the Champions League draw, it’s been confirmed that Rangers will then travel to either Switzerland or Belgium for the second leg of the tie a week later on the 15th of August.
Servette and Genk will play out their Champions League QR2 clash over the next week or so, with the first leg to take place in Switzerland this week (25/07) and the second leg in Belgium next week (02/08).
Should Rangers overcome either Servette or Genk in Champions League QR3, they’ll be entered into the draw for the Playoff round where a substantially bigger challenge could await.
But even with the lure of Champions League football on the baited hook of these qualifiers, a bigger prize awaits Rangers in the USA should this season’s European exploits match up to recent campaigns.
Champions League draw can supplement World Club Cup charge
That’s because Rangers are currently in line to take part in the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup Championships in the USA, which is set to take place in 2025.
Of the 32 teams who will take part, twelve of these will come from the European game with Rangers currently in line to grab a slot. The rest of the teams will be made up from teams across five of the globe’s other continents.
With only one team able to join per national association, and the last four Champions League winners also included regardless, Rangers’ recent European exploits are set to bag them a place at the tournament, which is reportedly set to have a cash prize pot of £50m [Scotsman].
Real Madrid, Chelsea and Man City are already guaranteed a place, with Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Roma, Villareal, PSG, Benfica, Ajax and Rangers the next sides in line based on coefficient points earned since 2021.
Rangers have 38.000 coefficient points and will have to perform again this season knowing Club Brugge of Belgium with 35.000, Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia with 33.00 and Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine with 31.000 are breathing down their neck.
Following the Champions League draw, Rangers fans will now be eagerly awaiting the clash between Servette and Genk with the situation around the Club World Cup adding an extra dynamic to European football this season.
If Rangers are serious about reaching the competition in the USA, then they must put up a solid fight on the continent this season with Champions League qualification having ramifications well beyond these shores.
