2026 World Cup Participant, Former Premier League Player and International Veterans: What Is Known About Ararat-Armenia’s Opponent

Ararat-Armenia will face Ireland’s most decorated club, Shamrock Rovers, in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. The Armenian side’s opponents have a 2026 World Cup participant, a former English Premier League footballer and several former senior internationals in their squad.

The first leg will take place in Yerevan on July 21, with the return match scheduled for July 28 in Ireland. The game in the Armenian capital will be officiated by a team of referees from Scotland.

Captain returns from the World Cup

The main star of the Shamrock Rovers defence is 34-year-old Roberto Lopes. He was born in Ireland but represents Cape Verde at international level. The centre-back has played for the Dublin club since 2017 and serves as the team’s captain.

Lopes became one of Cape Verde’s key players at the country’s first-ever World Cup. The team reached the round of 32 and put up a real fight against reigning world champions Argentina, losing 3–2 only after extra time. The defender played the full 120 minutes.

Despite the heavy workload, Lopes was not given an extended break after the tournament. Just a few days later, he returned to his club and helped Shamrock Rovers overcome Malta’s Floriana in Champions League qualifying.

The Irish side lost the first leg 2–0 but responded with an emphatic 5–1 home victory. Shamrock Rovers became the first Irish club to overturn a two-goal deficit in a European tie.

Former Premier League player and senior internationals

Shamrock Rovers have a highly experienced squad. Defender Enda Stevens previously played for Sheffield United in the English Premier League and represented the Republic of Ireland national team.

Midfielder Jack Byrne and forward Graham Burke also have experience with the Republic of Ireland senior team. Another well-known defender is former Wales international Adam Matthews. He made more than 100 appearances for Scottish club Celtic and also played for Sunderland, Charlton Athletic and Cypriot side Omonia.

The core group of players has been together for a long time, making the team well organised and cohesive. At the same time, head coach Stephen Bradley is gradually rejuvenating the squad and giving playing opportunities to graduates of the club’s academy.

Shamrock Rovers’ young talents

Among the younger players, 17-year-old striker Michael Noonan particularly stands out. In February 2025, he became the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Conference League history after finding the net against Norwegian side Molde. In January 2026, Shamrock Rovers rejected offers from German club Hoffenheim, valuing their academy graduate at approximately €2 million.

Another promising footballer is 19-year-old attacking midfielder Naj Razi. He developed in the Shamrock Rovers academy before moving to Italian club Como and later returning to Ireland. Razi is already receiving playing time with the first team and recently scored in the FAI Cup.

Another dangerous attacking player is 23-year-old Northern Irishman John McGovern. In a recent cup match against Cork City, he came off the bench, scored twice and provided an assist, but was forced to leave the pitch with an injury. His participation against Ararat-Armenia remains in doubt.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old midfielder Adam Brennan has already made his debut for the Republic of Ireland senior national team.

One of the team’s leading players remains 32-year-old Graham Burke. In the second leg against Floriana, he scored his 15th goal in European competition and became the leading European goalscorer among players representing clubs from the Irish league.

Ireland’s most decorated club

Shamrock Rovers hold the Irish football record for the highest number of league titles. In the 2025 season, the Dublin side regained the championship and won the FAI Cup, completing the club’s first domestic league-and-cup double since 1987.

The team regularly competes in European tournaments. In the 2024/25 season, Shamrock Rovers reached the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, finished tenth and advanced to the knockout stage. A year later, the Irish club again reached the league phase, becoming the first team from the country to qualify for the main stage of a European competition in two consecutive seasons. On the second occasion, Shamrock Rovers finished the league phase in 31st place.

Shamrock Rovers have never previously faced an Armenian team, while Ararat-Armenia have yet to play against an Irish club.

Ararat-Armenia’s upcoming opponents may lack pace and freshness in certain positions, but the Irish side compensate for these shortcomings with experience, cohesion and squad depth. The Armenian team will need to pay particular attention to set pieces, the attacking play of Burke and Byrne, and the forward runs made by the younger players on the flanks.

The team’s total market value is €6.63 million, compared with €8.6 million for Ararat-Armenia. The squad includes five foreign players and four current senior internationals.