Two qualifying rounds comprised the first stage of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League, the 44th season of Europe's premier club football competition and the seventh since it was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League.
Among the teams in the first qualifying round was Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv, who went on to reach the semi-finals of the competition proper, while both finalists – Manchester United of England and Bayern Munich of Germany – entered the competition in the second qualifying round, having finished as runners-up in their domestic leagues the previous season.
The national champions from associations ranked 8 and below, along with all league runners-up, entered the qualifying rounds.
[1] 32 champions from associations ranked 16–48 (except Liechtenstein) started in First qualifying round.
[2] The draw was performed on 6 July 1998 in Geneva, Switzerland.
16 clubs (champions of nations ranked 8–15 and runners-up of nations ranked 1–8) started in this round and were seeded.
The losing teams qualified for the first round of the 1998–99 UEFA Cup.
1–1 on aggregate; Dynamo Kyiv won 3–1 on penalties.
2–2 on aggregate; Athletic Bilbao won on away goals.