The Andorran club making history with a Pochettino in the team

What the report says

Inter Club d’Escaldes are poised to become the first team from Andorra to reach the league phase of a European club competition, with their UEFA Conference League campaign starting this week. The BBC reports that the milestone will also give Maurizio Pochettino, 25, the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition of playing in Europe. Pochettino joined the club in August 2025 and is the son of former Spurs manager and current United States coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Inter secured their place after beating Drita in a play-off tie that finished level on aggregate before being decided on penalties in Andorra. The club, founded in 1991, rose through the domestic system, returned to the top flight in 2017 and have since become one of the dominant sides in the country, winning five titles in the past seven seasons. Former Andorra defender Ildefons Lima, who helped shape the club’s rise, told BBC Sport the result shows that reaching this stage can be a realistic target for Andorran football.

The BBC says the achievement could have wider significance for Andorra, a small nation with a limited football profile and modest league infrastructure. Inter are expected to earn more than 3 million euros from the league phase, a sum that would be substantial for a club with a relatively small budget. Their involvement may also improve Andorra’s UEFA club ranking and help raise the country’s visibility in European football.

Inter begin with an away match against Swedish champions Mjallby, followed by fixtures against Red Star Belgrade, FC Copenhagen and Getafe. Manager Felip Ortiz said the team is aiming to show it can compete despite facing clubs with far larger resources.