The Clubs That Will Compete in the 2025-26 Champions League League Phase

The Clubs That Will Compete in the 2025-26 Champions League League Phase

PSG have been crowned UCL champions for the 2024-25 campaign following their emphatic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan on May 31, 2025, thanks to goals from Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Senny Mayulu, and a doble from Desire Doue.

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That victory not only solidified their status as Europe’s finest but also set the stage for a jaw-dropping line-up of clubs ready to battle it out in next season’s Champions League league phase. So, who made the cut? Buckle up, this list is packed with the footballing heavyweights, underdogs, and a few familiar faces you love to debate over beers.

Six English Titans Ready to Roar

No surprise here. England flexes its muscle with six clubs qualified. Tottenham punched their ticket by winning the Europa League, joining the Premier League’s top dogs: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle United. Talk about an English invasion!

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The Premier League continues to dominate the continental scene with its wealth, talent, and fiery passion. Pep Guardiola’s City, despite a less-than-vintage campaign, are still in the mix and hungry to reassert their dominance, while Newcastle Utd and Chelsea aim to crash the party with some serious ambition.

Six English clubs are ready to compete for the 2025-26 UCL trophy

Spain’s Finest: A Quintet of Powerhouses

Spain’s La Liga isn’t going quietly either. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Club, and Villarreal have all earned their spots. What a lineup!

Hansi Flick will be hoping his Barca side get to the final of the 2025-26 UCL campaign.

From the Galácticos of Madrid to the tactical brilliance of Atletico and the flair of Barcelona, Spain promises fireworks. Athletic Club and Villarreal might not get the same headlines, but they bring grit and heart, and sometimes that’s exactly what could shake up the group phase.

Madrid fans will be hoping their Galacticos turn up for next season's UCL

German Efficiency Meets European Drama

Germany is sending four teams into the fray: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Borussia Dortmund. These clubs bring a blend of ruthless efficiency and exciting youth talent.

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Bayern remain the perennial giant, but don’t underestimate the likes of Frankfurt and Dortmund, both have a knack for producing magical European nights that leave fans breathless. Remember, Dortmund were in the 2024 UCL final.

France and Italy: Champions and Challengers

France’s big three; Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, and Monaco, are gearing up to continue their continental quests. PSG, of course, are the reigning kings, while Marseille and Monaco hope to make waves.

Meanwhile, Italy’s Serie A sends Napoli, Inter Milan, Atalanta, and Juventus. Juventus, despite a tough recent spell, are always dangerous. Napoli and Atalanta offer exciting attacking football, while Inter aim to return stronger having lost two finals in two years - against Man City in 2023 and PSG most recently.

Napoli are Serie A champions and will definitely put up a fight.

The Rest of Europe: The Underdogs and Dark Horses

It wouldn’t be the Champions League without a few surprises, right? PSV Eindhoven and Ajax represent the Netherlands with their rich history of European success.

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Portugal’s Sporting, Turkey’s Galatasaray, Czech Republic’s Slavia Prague, and Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise round out the league phase contenders. And let’s not forget Olympiakos from Greece, who snagged their spot thanks to UEFA’s coefficient rankings. Some of these clubs might not be household names globally, but their fans and players live for these nights.

Ajax are back to the UCL, having missed out last season.

The Road Ahead: Qualification Battles Still to Come

Hold your horses, there’s still some action left! Seven places remain up for grabs through qualification rounds set to wrap up in August.

Scottish champions Celtic have one hurdle to clear, while Rangers face a tougher path with three qualifying rounds.

Champions from Northern Ireland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, Linfield, The New Saints, and Shelbourne, will battle through even more rounds. The drama will be real, and the stakes are sky-high.

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There you have it! The 2025-26 Champions League league phase is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle. Get ready for breath-taking goals, heart-stopping drama, and, of course, the beautiful game at its absolute finest. Who will rise? Who will fall? One thing’s for sure, football’s grandest stage is set.