- West Ham United will face Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or NK Domžale of Slovenia
- Hammers have made official representation to request that Club play away in first leg
- Slaven Bilic's side to compete in UEFA Europa League for second consecutive campaign
In order to give Stadium owners E20 Stadium LLP as much time as possible to prepare the arena for its first taste of European football, the Club have today made official representation to request that the fixture be reversed.
If successful, Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or NK Domžale of Slovenia will visit Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the return leg on Thursday 4 August.
Following post-draw discussions, both clubs have agreed to West Ham's request in principle and a final decision is expected to be ratified by UEFA in due course.
Owing to the date of the Europa League fixture, the Club has had to agree to work to a capacity of 54,000 for the Hammers’ first two fixtures at London Stadium. And, given the proximity of the Anniversary Games to those opening two West Ham games, Stadium owners E20 Stadium PLP are doing their utmost to prepare the venue fully into football mode accordingly.
On behalf of its supporters, the Club went to great lengths in contractual negotiations with E20 Stadium LLP to ensure that the Stadium would be fully ready for the first two fixtures, in order to accommodate as many supporters as possible and offer the best matchday experience.
This is a necessary step for the ramp up to the Stadium opening in full football mode at its full 60,000 capacity for the eagerly-awaited opening Premier League fixture against AFC Bournemouth on Sunday 21 August.
Crucially, capacity for both the Europa League fixture and the Betway Cup will be sufficient to accommodate all requests from Season Ticket Holders. Further details for the Europa League clash will be communicated on whufc.com ahead of tickets going on sale on Tuesday 19 July.
The visit of AFC Bournemouth will also see the innovative, retractable seating solution in its entirety for the first time, with bold West Ham branding, showing off the Hammers’ famous Claret and Blue, set for installation in the coming weeks.
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming our supporters to the opening of our magnificent new home against Italian champions Juventus.
“It’s fantastic to be kicking off this exciting new era for the Club with European football, in preparation for the all-important first Premier League fixture against Bournemouth.”
Third qualifying first leg ties will be played in week commencing Monday 25 July, with second leg matches being played in week commencing Monday 1 August. Tie dates and kick-off times will be confirmed in due course.
The Hammers will be competing in Europe for the eighth time in their history, having previously won the European Cup Winners’ Cup at the first attempt in 1965 and reached the final of the same competition in 1976.
West Ham have won 24 of their 48 ties across the UEFA Cup/Europa League, Cup Winners’ Cup and Intertoto Cup, scoring 79 goals and conceding 57.
Shakhtyor Soligorsk
Shakhtyor Soligorsk were formed in 1961 and are managed by the club's former striker Syarhey Nikifarenka.
The 2005 Belarussian champions are based at 4,200-capacity Stroitel Stadium and finished third in the Premier League last season.
A successful side in recent years, Soligorsk have finished in the top three in each of the last five seasons and won the Belarussian Cup in 2014. They have qualified for Europe in each of the last six seasons. Defeated NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands 7-0 on aggregate in the first qualifying round.
NK Domžale
NK Domžale were formed in 1921 and are based in town of Domzale in the foothills of the Kamnik Alps in central Slovenia.
The club finished third in the Slovenian PrvaLiga last season, having won the title in 2007 and 2008, and are based at the 2,813-capacity Sports Park.
Domžale, who possess a cosmopolitan squad including players from Slovenia, Spain, Bosnia, Brazil, Azerbaijan, Serbia, France, Macedonia, Croatia and Argentina, defeated West Ham’s 2015 opponents Lusitanos of Andorra 5-2 on aggregate in the first qualifying round.