The League Phase of the 2025-26 Champions League, the second season under the new format, is entering the final round of games with all kicking off at the same time (01:30 AM - IST) on 29 January 2026. This season, the opening round of the competition proper has been hugely competitive, with only two teams, top-placed Arsenal and Bayern Munich, guaranteed their place in the Round of 16. Gunners is the only team to have secured their spot in the 36-team table, taking the top position, while the placement of the remaining teams is changeable. Teams ranked third to all the way down to 16th in the standings have a chance to get into the top eight, which will help them qualify directly to the Round of 16; otherwise, finishing in the playoff spot is almost reserved for them. Teams finishing from 25 to 36 will get eliminated; four have already exited.
For some teams, it is just formality with destiny in their own hands in the final round of games in the League Phase, while others require a favourable result from elsewhere, taking a harder route. There is also more to play for than simply qualifying for the Round of 16, as the team’s standings would determine home advantage and the quality of opponents in the next round. The top two finishing teams in the League Phase have the chance to play the second leg at home in the Round of 16 and also every other stage of the competition. Teams finishing in the top four will avoid facing the other team finishing with them until the semifinals. Hence, there is a lot at stake in the final round of games in the League Phase of the Champions League 2025-26, with it being an interesting and anxious watch, as the position of the teams changes on the table with every strike in 90 minutes.
Qualified teams (Arsenal and Bayern Munich)
Only two teams have qualified for the Round of 16 before the final round of games in the League Phase. One of them is Arsenal, who has been the most dominant team this season after an excellent showing both domestically and continentally. The Premier League leaders are also topping the chart in the League Phase after a hundred percent record in all seven games they have played so far. Currently on 21 points, they have cemented the first place and are the only side whose position will remain unchanged at the end of the League Phase, no matter the circumstances.
The other side to secure their place in the last 16 directly, Bayern Munich, has been the most flamboyant team to watch this season. The Bavarians are placed second on the table, collecting 18 points by registering six wins and only suffering one loss, that too against the best side in the competition this season, Arsenal. However, their place in the table is not secure with two more sides contesting to finish second, but they need just a draw in their final League Phase game against PSV in Eindhoven to confirm it. Bayern, though, are certain to finish in the top four.
Teams in contention
Real Madrid (Pos: 3, GD: +11, Pts: 15)
Final League Phase Fixture: Benfica (A)
Record winners Real Madrid are placed third on the table with 15 points and have destiny in their own hands to qualify for the Round of 16. They just need to avoid defeat in their trip to face Benfica to be absolutely certain of a place in the top eight in the League Phase. Victory would ensure a top-four berth, while the Los Blancos could even finish second if Bayern Munich lose to 22nd-placed PSV Eindhoven. Only a loss combined with a surprise defeat elsewhere might place them outside the top eight on tiebreakers. It is unlikely, considering the goal difference of Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, who won’t be having much of a headache getting their job done.
Liverpool (Pos: 4, GD: +6, Pts: 15)
Final League Phase Fixture: Qarabag (H)
Same points as Real Madrid, but in fourth due to inferior goal difference, Liverpool have a similar scenario to that of the Spanish giants to confirm their top eight spot. Avoiding defeat in their home game against 18th-ranked Qarabag in the final round of the League Phase will book a direct spot to the Round of 16 stage. Victory will ensure a top-four spot and they can get into the top two if Bayern and Real both fail to win their games. A surprise defeat could open the doors for teams just below them on 14–13 pts to overtake them on the table, especially for three sides who have a better goal difference than them.
Tottenham Hotspurs (Pos: 5, GD: +8, Pts: 14)
Final League Phase Fixture: Eintracht Frankfurt (A)
Another team in contention to finish in the top four is Tottenham Hotspur, who are placed fifth with 14 points from seven games in the League Phase. A third straight win in the League Phase against Frankfurt, their quarter-final opponents in their Europa League-winning season last term, will cement direct qualification to the last 16. It could even lift them into the top four if other results go their way. However, they cannot finish in the top two. Even a draw might seal a top-eight place if teams with 13 points, right below them, fail to win. A defeat, though, will complicate things as they would require at least 10 teams to drop points.
Paris Saint-Germain (Pos: 6, GD: +10, Pts: 13)
Final League Phase Fixture: Newcastle United (H)
Holders Paris Saint-Germain are placed sixth in the League Phase this season with 13 points from seven games, with a win almost confirming their spot in the last-16, as it will put them in a strong position to jump above the teams with 14 points and could even finish in the top four. For that to happen, one of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Tottenham must not win. Since they play a direct competitor for the spot, Newcastle United at home, with the same points, in the final League Phase game, they have the chance to dislodge at least one rival’s chance. A draw could be enough if the other teams with 13 points slip. A Loss could see them drop into 9th or lower on tiebreakers, snapping their chance for direct qualification.
Newcastle United (Pos: 7, GD: +10, Pts: 13)
Final League Phase Fixture: Paris Saint-Germain (A)
Almost carrying the same scenario as PSG, with the same points and goal difference, a victory against the defending champions will put seventh-place Newcastle United in a commanding position to be in the last 16 directly. The Magpies could overtake at least four sides above them if other results go their way, even taking position in the top four, with a draw also being enough if teams right below them lose or don’t overtake their superior goal difference if the points are the same, which is unlikely. However, they will play the final League Phase match away to the holders, which is a difficult fixture in itself. Losing will complicate matters, with a slip to the playoffs the likelier outcome.
Chelsea (Pos: 8, GD: +6, Pts: 13)
Final League Phase Fixture: Napoli (A)
The fourth English side in the top eight and holding the final direct qualification spot for the Round of 16 is Chelsea, with the same points as PSG and Newcastle but separated by goal difference. The Blues have an ideal scenario to win their final league phase game and push themselves up the table, with teams above them dropping points as well as those behind them should they play out a draw. Like others, a defeat will put Liam Rosenior in the knockout playoffs even if one team on 13 points below them only collect a draw. Although Napoli is currently placed just outside the playoff spot, it will be tough to face them at Naples.
Barcelona (Pos: 9, GD: +5, Pts: 13)
Final League Phase Fixture: FC Copenhagen (H)
Finished second last time in the League Phase, Barcelona find themselves ninth on the table this season, but have the chance to qualify for the Round of 16 automatically. Yet, destiny is not in their hands, as even a win won’t be enough to confirm their place if other results don’t go in their favour. If the Catalan giants take three points against FC Copenhagen at home in the final League Phase game, they will require teams directly above to draw or lose their game. Ending it all square will require the same, but then the teams below them also have to drop points. The goal-difference will come into play if teams carrying 13 points end on the same points.
Sporting CP (Pos: 10, GD: +5, Pts: 13)
Final League Phase Fixture: Athletic Club (A)
Sporting CP also carry the same complication to be in the Round of 16 as Barcelona after putting themselves in contention with a crucial victory against PSG in the penultimate League Phase game of the season. To stand a chance, the Portuguese giants have to win against 23rd ranked Athletic Club and hope teams above them slip. A victory for any of them will diminish their chance to seal direct qualification to the last-16 stage, requiring playoffs instead. Their fate might be decided on goal difference should they draw their final game, while a defeat will most likely end their contention for the automatic spots.
Manchester City (Pos: 11, GD: +4, Pts: 13)
Final League Phase Fixture: Galatasaray (H)
Despite a strong start to the League Phase, Manchester City fell to 11th in the 36-team table after losing two of their last three games in the League Phase. Pep Guardiola’s side needs to win against Galatasaray in Etihad in the final game at this stage to have any chance of direct qualification to the Round of 16 stage. They will still require other teams to slip off or play an outcome that favours them, or else a draw and a loss will diminish their chances. Goal-difference will play a key factor here as well. No matter the result, City won’t be falling down from the top-16, which confirms their spot in the playoff at least.
Atletico Madrid (Pos: 12, GD: +3, Pts: 13)
Final League Phase Fixture: Bodo Glimt (H)
Two-time Champions League finalists, 12th-placed Atletico Madrid, are also in the 13-point pack and don’t have destiny in their own hands. They also need to win in the final game of the League Phase at home against 28th-placed Bodo Glimt, who stunned City last week, albeit at home, with the hope that teams currently above them draw or lose. Drawing or losing will most likely end the road to automatic qualification. However, Los Rojiblancos will make it to the playoffs, as the lowest they could get in the 36-team table is 17.
Atalanta (Pos: 13, GD: +1, Pts: 13)
Final League Phase Fixture: Union St Gilliose (A)
The final team on 13 points, placed 13th on the table, is Atalanta, whose chances are thin considering their concerning goal difference. Even if they win against Union St Gilliose in Belgium, they will require a good margin of victory and results elsewhere fall in their favour. It will be a challenging task, requiring good fortune for the 2024 Europa League winners to qualify directly for the Round of 16. La Dea could at least be pleased to be in the playoffs for a consecutive season, as the team has sealed a top-17 spot and cannot go further down.
Inter (Pos: 14, GD: +6, Pts: 12)
Final League Phase Fixture: Borussia Dortmund (A)
Inter sealed their Round of 16 spot directly last time, ending as runners-up, but they have to jostle for an automatic place this time, placed as low as 14th with 12 points in the bag. A lot of permutation is required for them to end up in the top eight, with each team above them collapsing. They need to win their final League Phase game and hope neither of the six teams directly above them nor fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur win their games, while also requiring Paris and Newcastle United play out a draw as well as Juventus, directly below them. However, the Nerazzuri have lost their last three League Phase games and facing Dortmund away is a tough task despite the team two places below them, behind by a point.
Juventus (Pos: 15, GD: +4, Pts: 12)
Final League Phase Fixture: AS Monaco (A)
The final Italian team, with the glimpse of a chance to be in the top eight, is Juventus. They also require the same scenario happen in the final League Phase games, with Inter drawing their game against Dortmund, two competitors for the spot playing against each other in the final League Phase game. However, there is a lot to ask still, especially their final game opponent, 21st-ranked AS Monaco, also looking to overtake them, with the gap only being three points. However, no matter the circumstances, the two biggest clubs in Italy cannot go below 21st place in the table, confirming their spot in the playoffs amid facing tougher opponents there.
Borussia Dortmund (Pos: 16, GD: +4, Pts: 11)
Final League Phase Fixture: Inter (H)
If Borussia Dortmund managed to secure a direct last-16 spot from being placed 16th in the 36-team table with only 11 points from seven games, it would be the biggest story to come out of the League Phase in this edition. The Black and Yellows need such a miracle to happen after having an underwhelming campaign in the Champions League, with inconsistent results that put them in this position. Niko Kovac’s side has to win their final League Phase game against direct competitor Inter first and then wish all the remaining results fall in their favour, including every team above them slipping. A draw or a loss will most certainly end all chance, with the playoffs the optimum path for the side to continue in the competition.
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