The Champions League 2025-26 has been a roller coaster ride as after eight teams qualified directly to the Round of 16 stage, with only Arsenal and Bayern Munich to have secured the places early, the remaining eight teams have now been confirmed after a jaw dropping knockout playoffs. The stage was full of surprises with minnows scripting stories that will be remembered for long while former winners bid goodbye. Most of the regular names in the competition has prevailed to the last-16 but there will be new names that are poised to create history by making the stage their own. Huge ties are expected to be played in the Round of 16 stage as excitement builds up.
Here are all the teams that have qualified for the Champions League 2025-26 Round of 16
Directly qualified teams
Arsenal
The first team to secure a hundred percent record in the League Phase and only side to have secured qualification before the final round of games at the stage, Arsenal eased past their opponents in eight games, scoring a spectacular 23 goals while conceding a mere four in extraordinary display. Mikel Arteta side finished three points clear at the top showing their utter dominance and established themselves as early favourites for the title. The Gunners will now face either Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16 hoping to maintain their sensational run of form in the competition.
Bayern Munich
Like Arsenal, Bayern Munich were a dominant force in the League Phase and probably the most entertaining side as they clinched the second spot. Vincent Kompany's men only lost to the table toppers as they claimed victories in all other games accumulating 21 points in the process. The Bundesliga giants also scored 22 goals and conceded just eight in a fantastic display. They could potentially have an all German tie if they draw Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16 or take on Atalanta for the first time in the competition's history.
Liverpool
Last season's League Phase winners wobbled a bit this time, with shock losses to Galatasaray away and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield, Liverpool managed to win their remaining games especially the final three with huge victories in the last two to take the third spot in the table to secure automatic Round of 16 qualification. Despite inconsistency, the Reds scored 20 goals and conceded the same amount as second place Bayern showing that they did just enough to deserve their spot. They will face a rematch with either Gala or Atletico Madrid in the next round.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham did not allow their awful domestic form, finishing themselves in the Premier League's relegation battle, to show up in Europe as they finished a solid League Phase campaign by taking the fourth spot and sealing the last-16 berth directly. Arguably, Spurs got one of the easiest schedules on paper but they still had to get the job done and they did it with precision claiming five wins, two draws and only losing to holders PSG that too in a 5-3 thriller. The challenge though will peak from here as they will face a spirited Galatasaray team or the three time finalists Atletico Madrid in last-16.
Barcelona
Finished second place in the League Phase the previous year, last edition's semifinalist Barcelona were good enough to take only the fifth spot this time after five wins, one draw and two losses. Regardless, it secured the Blaugranas a spot in the Round of 16, finishing a point better than going through the knockout playoff route. Hansi Flick's side was not a dominant force like last time but got the job done when it mattered. They could potentially face the holders PSG in the last-16 stage while Newcastle United won't be a comfortable draw either.
Chelsea
Returning to the Champions League stage and moving into the last-16 automatically, Chelsea will count it as a successful campaign continentally so far. The Blues who defeated Barcelona in the League Phase accumulated the same points as them with 16 from eight games but a little inferior goal difference puts them sixth on the table. The 3-2 comeback win at Naples in the final League Phase game was crucial in this regard. Liam Rosenior's side will now want to carry the momentum in the knockout with Paris or fellow Premier League side Newcastle waiting for them at the corner.
Sporting CP
Probably the surprise name in the direct qualification list for the last-16, Portuguese champions Sporting CP stunned everyone to finish above heavyweights like Man City, Real Madrid and even holders PSG whom they even beat in the penultimate League Phase game. The dramatic 3-2 victory against already eliminated Athletic Club in the final game at the stage sealed a direct berth to the next round. The Lisbon based side is expected to face either Los Blancos or the tournament's surprise packages Bodo Glimt in the Round of 16.
Manchester City
Despite losing two of their final four League Phase games, Manchester City still picked up enough points through five wins to claim the final automatic spot in the table. The 2-0 win in the final League Phase game against Galatasaray avoided them slipping into the knockout playoff spot like last time, maintaining their streak of qualifying for the last-16 stage each time since the 2013-14 season. Pep Guardiola's men might face Real Madrid once again in the next round or Bodo Glimt whom they lost to in the League Phase.
Through knockout playoffs
Real Madrid
Real Madrid had to go through the knockout playoffs for the second season in a row after finishing just a place below and a point behind the direct spots in the League Phase. However, they managed to reach the last-16 stage this time by beating Benfica 3-1 on aggregate in a tie that will be remember more than the result but the racism incident on Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian scored the winner in both legs for the redemption arc and also seek revenge of the 4-2 loss to the Eagles in the final League Phase game that put them at this stage in the first place.
Bodo Glimt
Defying all odds, Bodo Glimt became the first Norwegian team to qualify for the last-16 stage of the Champions League and progress from a double legged tie since the 1987/88 season with a stunning 5-2 aggregate victory over last edition's finalist Inter Milan. After beating the Serie A leaders 3-1 at home, they secured a 2-1 win back at San Siro continuing their fairytale they crafted in the League Phase by beating City and Atletico in back-to-back games to secure a knockout playoff place. They could face Guardiola's men again or Sporting CP hoping to create more surprises in last-16.
Paris St Germain
It was a surprise to see the holders PSG taking the knockout playoff route to advance to the Round of 16 and not directly after finishing 11th in the League Phase table following a rough end to the stage. Luis Enrique's men also had to work hard when they took on fellow Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in the knockout playoffs, coming from two goals behind to win 3-2 in the first leg and then drawing 2-2 at home, making another turnaround. It only gets tougher for the defending champions as they will take on either Barcelona or Chelsea, two familiar foes, in the last-16.
Newcastle United
Making it six Premier League sides in the Round of 16 stage, Newcastle United blazed past Qarabag to secure a 9-3 victory on aggregate in the playoffs. The Magpies crushed their Azerbaijani opposition 6-1 away before playing out a 3-2 thriller at home to enter the main stage of the knockout. Eddie Howe's men had finished 12th in a promising League Phase campaign and will want to carry their good work continentally amid a dismal domestic form. That will be put into severe test though in the form of either Chelsea or Barcelona in the last-16.
Bayer Leverkusen
Only the second German side remaining in the competition, Bayer Leverkusen will compete in the Round of 16 stage after beating Olympiacos in the knockout playoffs 2-0 on aggregate. The victory came in the first leg and wrapped up with a goalless draw at home as Kasper Hjulmand took revenge for their 1-0 loss in this fixture in the League Phase this season. Leverkusen finished 16th in the 36-team table with three wins and draws a piece, suffering only two losses, to make it to the knockouts. They can face fellow Bundesliga side Bayern or Arsenal making it a tough outing in last-16.
Galatasaray
Thwarting a remarkable comeback from Juventus, Galatasaray qualified for the Round of 16 stage having progressed from a Champions League knockout tie for the first time in 12 years after securing a 5-7 aggregate victory. The Turkish giants put up a grand show by beating the Bianconeri 5-2 after coming from 2-1 behind at home but found themselves 3-0 down in 90 minutes of the return leg. However, they managed to scrap it out extra-time with Osimhen and Yilmaz in dramatic circumstances. They will fight English sides Liverpool or Tottenham in the next round.
Atletico Madrid
Similar to their city rivals, Atletico Madrid also had to go through to the knockout playoffs after finishing 14th in the League Phase table. Diego Simeone's side also did not have it easy when they drew 3-3 with Belgian outfit Club Brugge in Brussels despite taking the lead three times in the first leg. However, Los Colchoneros turned up when it mattered as a Alexander Sorloth hattrick inspired a 4-1 victory in the home leg and a 7-4 result on aggregate to qualify for the last-16 stage. The side will be hoping to carry the streak now against one of Liverpool or Tottenham at the stage.
Atalanta
Atalanta might have played the tie of the knockout playoffs after making a sensational comeback against Borussia Dortmund to progress to the Round of 16 stage. The Italian outfit entered the second leg trailing 2-0 from the first leg yet showed a different character in front of the home fans with Scammaca and Zappacosta scoring before half-time to level the tie. While Adeyemi scored for the visitors after Pasalic gave the hosts the advantage, Samardzic ensured the evening belonged to them after tucking away a last minute penalty. The side will face the top two sides from the League Phase in the last-16.
