Pafos FC: From Humble Beginnings to Champions League Dream

Wed Sep 17 2025 20:08:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Cypriot club Pafos FC is set to make its Champions League debut just 11 years after its formation, aiming to take the football world by storm with its remarkable journey.

Pafos FC, formed in 2014, celebrates its Champions League debut this season after overcoming significant hurdles. With a mix of strategic management, community investment, and high-profile signings such as David Luiz, the club embarks on an ambitious journey in Europe, aiming to showcase their talents on one of the biggest stages in football.

Cypriot side Pafos FC will make their Champions League debut on Wednesday - just 11 years after their formation.

The club has made waves in recent years, playing in Europe for the first time last season and reaching the Conference League's last 16 while also securing their first league title.

After navigating three rounds of qualifying, they earned their place in the Champions League proper, joining Kazakh team Kairat Almaty as first-time participants.

Pafos overcame Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv, and Red Star Belgrade to qualify. Their initial group stage challenges include a monumental matchup against Bayern Munich and a fixture against Chelsea, with their opening game against Olympiakos in Greece.

Everybody was in ecstasy, expressed David Luiz, the former Brazil and Chelsea defender, who joined Pafos this summer, sharing his excitement over the club's qualification for the prestigious tournament. Nobody expected us to be in the Champions League this season. I'm very happy to be here because I can see this feeling, with everybody's hunger, to do something great.

Formed in 2014: A Brief History

Pafos was created in 2014 from a merger of AEK Kouklia and AEP Paphos, and they started their journey in the second tier of Cypriot football. Introduction of Russian/British businessman Roman Dubov as owner in 2017 set the course for the modern-day Pafos.

His vision focused on creating a competitive and sustainable football club that could give back to the community, leading to considerable investment in the team. The journey wasn't without hurdles, as journalist Andreas Odysseos noted a history of trial and error in assembling a successful squad and establishing a dedicated fan base.

British Managers Attempt to Make Their Mark

A handful of British managers held positions at Pafos, with various levels of impact. Steven Pressley and Cameron Toshack were among those who had brief stints with the club.

Success with Former Arsenal Coach

The advent of coach Juan Carlos Carcedo, previous assistant to Unai Emery at multiple clubs, marked a turning point. Under his guidance, the club secured its first major trophy, winning the Cypriot Cup last season, and followed up with a league title.

'I Think We Can Do Something Special'

This summer, Luiz joined Pafos, raising the club's profile significantly. It's a PR move, mainly, noted Odysseos about Luiz's impact on the club's image. He has since stated his eagerness to compete against Chelsea, affirming, Nobody expected many things for us in the Champions League, but I think we can do something special.

Pafos' elevation to the Champions League is not just about football; it symbolizes hope and determination for the club and its community as they aim to establish themselves on the European stage.