UEFA Champions League 2025/26: Full List of Qualified Teams for the League Phase

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The UEFA Champions League is back, and the stage is set for another season of drama and unforgettable nights. UEFA has now confirmed the seeding pots for the 2025/26 campaign, with the group stage draw scheduled for 5pm UK time.

This year’s seeding has already stirred plenty of debate, thanks to a few surprise entries and shifts in rankings. The heavyweights are still there—Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and PSG while underdogs like Pafos and Kairat Almaty are ready to test themselves on Europe’s biggest stage.

Pot 1: Giants of Europe Pot 1 includes the clubs you’d expect at the top: PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona. For many fans, the main talking point is seeing Chelsea and Liverpool back among the elite after their rebuilds. Madrid, as always, remain a powerhouse, while City will be looking to defend their crown.

Pot 2: Strong Challengers

Pot 2 is full of dangerous sides that could shake things up. This group includes Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Atalanta, Villarreal, Juventus, Eintracht Frankfurt and Club Brugge. They may not have as many Champions League titles between them, but they bring tactical strength, attacking quality, and enough experience to trouble anyone.

Pot 3: Dark Horses The third pot carries plenty of intrigue. Tottenham, PSV, Ajax, Napoli, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Bodø/Glimt, and Marseille are all in this group. Teams like Tottenham and Napoli can go toe-to-toe with anyone, while clubs like Bodø/Glimt and Slavia Prague have already shown they can spring surprises in Europe.

Pot 4: Underdogs with Ambition The final pot always adds excitement, and this season is no exception. Copenhagen, Monaco, Galatasaray, Union Saint-Gilloise, Qarabag, Athletic Bilbao, Newcastle, Pafos, and Kairat Almaty round out the list. The mix of seasoned European sides and newcomers makes Pot 4 especially interesting. Pafos and Kairat Almaty stand out as surprise entrants, both making history with their inclusion.

UEFA Draw Rules UEFA has laid out clear rules for the group stage draw: no club can face another from the same country, and only two teams from one nation can be in the same group. Every team will play four matches at home and four away.

This season, there’s also a twist: before the draw begins, a computer will automatically assign two fixtures one home, one away adding a bit more unpredictability to the schedule.

Key Dates The group stage draw is set for 5pm UK time. Matchday 1 will run across Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the exact schedule released by UEFA shortly after the draw. Fans won’t have to wait long to start booking trips and planning match nights.

Why the Seeding Matters This year’s confirmed seeding gives a clear picture of what fans can expect: classic rivalries, possible “groups of death,” and plenty of opportunities for underdogs to make headlines. The mix of established giants and surprising newcomers is what makes the Champions League so compelling year after year.