The UEFA Europa League match between GNK Dinamo Zagreb and FCSB, scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026, represents a significant encounter in European club football's secondary continental competition. This fixture pits Croatia's most successful football club against Romania's most decorated team, with both sides competing in the knockout stage play-off round. The winner of this two-legged tie will advance to the round of 16 of the 2025-2026 UEFA Europa League, continuing their European campaign, while the loser will be eliminated from continental competition for the season. This match carries particular importance as both clubs have historically dominated their domestic leagues but have sought greater success on the European stage in recent years. Dinamo Zagreb, based in Croatia's capital, has won the Croatian First Football League 24 times, including 16 of the last 18 seasons, establishing themselves as the dominant force in Croatian football. FCSB, formerly known as Steaua București, holds the record for Romanian Liga I titles with 26 championships, though their last title came in the 2014-2015 season. Both clubs have experienced varying degrees of European success, with FCSB famously winning the European Cup in 1986, becoming the first Eastern European club to achieve this feat, while Dinamo Zagreb's best European performance was reaching the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in the 1997-1998 season. The 2025-2026 Europa League campaign represents an opportunity for both clubs to reestablish themselves as competitive forces in European football. Dinamo Zagreb enters this match after finishing third in their UEFA Champions League group, dropping into the Europa League knockout round play-offs, while FCSB qualified directly for this stage by finishing second in their Europa League group. This match has generated significant interest among football fans across Eastern Europe and beyond, as it features two clubs with rich histories and passionate fan bases seeking continental success. The tactical battle between the two managers, the performance of key players, and the atmosphere in the stadium will all contribute to what promises to be a compelling European encounter.

Historical Context

The historical context of this fixture extends beyond these specific clubs to the broader footballing traditions of Croatia and Romania. Dinamo Zagreb was founded in 1945 as part of the Yugoslav football system, becoming one of the most successful clubs in Yugoslav football before Croatia's independence in 1991. Since Croatia's independence, Dinamo has dominated domestic football, winning 24 of 32 possible Croatian First Football League titles. Their European history includes memorable campaigns, most notably reaching the 1960-1961 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup semi-finals and the 1997-1998 UEFA Cup quarter-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Atlético Madrid. FCSB, originally founded in 1947 as ASA București before becoming Steaua București, achieved legendary status in Romanian and European football by winning the 1985-1986 European Cup under manager Emerich Jenei. Their victory over Barcelona in the final, decided by a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw, made them the first Eastern European club to win Europe's premier club competition. The club reached the European Cup final again in 1989, losing to AC Milan, and the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 2006. Following a lengthy legal dispute over the Steaua name and brand, the club rebranded as FCSB in 2017 while maintaining its competitive ambitions. While Dinamo Zagreb and FCSB have never met in European competition before this 2026 fixture, their paths have occasionally intersected through player transfers and shared opponents. Several Romanian players have featured for Dinamo Zagreb over the years, while Croatian players have occasionally moved to Romanian clubs. Both clubs have faced similar challenges in recent decades, navigating the financial disparities between Western and Eastern European football while maintaining competitive domestic positions and seeking occasional European successes. This match represents a rare direct confrontation between two clubs that have each defined footballing excellence in their respective nations for generations.