2025/26 UEFA Champions League round of 16 contenders confirmed
Here are the latest developments on the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League round of 16 contenders, based on the most recent and highly valid reports.
Below is a summary of the 16 teams that have qualified for the knockout stage of Europe’s premier club competition and continue the hunt for the 2025/26 title. Some clubs secured their places directly from the league phase by finishing among the top eight, while others advanced through the knockout play-offs. The competition remains intense, with several elite clubs and emerging challengers set to battle in the next round.
The eight teams that automatically qualified for the round of 16 after strong league phase performances are Arsenal, who made history with a perfect campaign by winning all eight matches, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur from the English Premier League. These clubs finished in the top eight standings to secure direct passage to the knockout stage. Joining them were Barcelona from Spain, Chelsea from England, Sporting CP from Portugal and Manchester City from England, all of whom amassed enough points to bypass the play-off round and continue their Champions League campaigns.
The remaining eight teams earned their spots by winning their play-off ties, setting up compelling last-16 fixtures. Atlético Madrid dominated their tie to reach the round of 16, while Bayer Leverkusen advanced with a strong aggregate performance. Bodø/Glimt continued their impressive run, becoming one of the competition’s surprise stories by defeating perennial European competitors to reach the knockout rounds. Newcastle United also booked their place with a commanding performance in their play-off, scoring nine goals across two legs. Atalanta rallied from an early deficit to claim dramatic progress, while Real Madrid maintained their stature with a controlled performance. Paris Saint-Germain and Galatasaray rounded out the play-off qualifiers, setting up a diverse and competitive field for the next phase.
With the round of 16 pairs set to be finalised in the draw, supporters and pundits alike are already speculating on the potential match-ups and outcomes. Clubs like Arsenal and Bayern Munich remain among the favourites to progress deep into the competition, while teams such as Bodø/Glimt have captured attention as possible dark horses capable of creating upsets. The stage is now set for thrilling knockout football as the continent’s top clubs vie for a spot in the quarter-finals.
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