UCL: UEFA to honour Nepal flood victims before matches

European football’s governing body, UEFA, will honour victims of the devastating flash floods that struck Nepal on August 26, 2026, ahead of all UEFA Champions League matches this week.

According to a statement published on the UEFA website on Monday, a moment of silence will be observed before the matches, while a banner will also be displayed as a sign of solidarity and support for the people of Nepal.

The banner will carry the message: “You are not alone Nepal”.

UEFA said the tribute was intended to express solidarity with those affected by the disaster and support their recovery.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said the European football community would stand with the victims and their families.

“The entire European football family will stand together before this week’s matches to express our deepest condolences and our support to the people of Nepal.

“We wish them strength and resilience as they continue to recover from this tragedy and its aftermath,” Čeferin said.

The flash floods that struck Nepal on August 26 left communities affected by the disaster as the country continues to deal with its aftermath.

UEFA said the tribute would take place before all Champions League matches scheduled for the week.

PUNCH Online reports that the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase kicks off on Tuesday, September 8, with 36 teams beginning their campaigns in the new single-league format.

The clubs will play 144 matches across eight matchdays, battling for positions that will determine their route into the knockout phase, with the final scheduled for June 5, 2027, in Madrid.

PUNCH Online had earlier quoted AFP as saying that Nepal held a national day of mourning on Monday for victims of devastating glacial floods, as families of missing hydropower workers feared trapped in tunnels prayed rescuers might yet find them alive.

The August 26 glacial and mountain collapse on the China-Nepal border killed at least 1,398 people, with more than 5,500 missing, including around 800 foreigners.

Flags flew at half-mast, with candlelight vigils planned later in the day, as the nation marked the 13th day after the deaths, following Hindu mourning rituals.

Tosin Oyediran is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of professional experience in reporting and storytelling. He is known for conducting incisive interviews and producing compelling human-angle stories that bring clarity and depth to the news. Tosin covers a broad range of beats including politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment, with a strong focus on people-centred reporting. His work reflects firsthand newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to accurate, engaging, and trustworthy journalism.