The final round of the ‘single group’ stage in the UEFA Champions League resulted in five English clubs directly qualifying for the round of 16, having secured places among the top eight in the competition’s overall standings.
Arsenal topped the table with a perfect record, achieving 21 points to secure direct qualification for the round of 16 without a single loss, while Bayern Munich finished as runners-up with 18 points.
The list of direct qualifiers featured a notable presence of English clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
Teams directly qualified for the round of 16
The list of directly qualified teams, in order, included: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon, and Manchester City.
According to the competition format, the top eight teams in the overall standings qualify directly for the round of 16. Meanwhile, the teams placed from 9th to 24th will enter a playoff stage played over two legs, with eight of those clubs advancing to complete the round of 16 matchups.
Teams qualified for the Champions League playoffs
The list of teams qualified for the playoffs includes: Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabag, Bodø/Glimt, and Benfica.
Round of 16 playoff draw date
The draw for the round of 16 playoffs of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2026.
Arsenal
The Arsenal is a historic military complex in Venice, Italy, established in the early 12th century. It served as the heart of the Venetian Republic’s naval power, functioning as a state-owned shipyard and armory that enabled Venice to dominate Mediterranean trade for centuries.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich is a professional football club based in Munich, Germany, founded in 1900. It is one of the most successful clubs in world football, historically dominant in German competitions and a multi-time winner of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a major port city in northwest England, historically significant for its role in the British Empire’s trade, including the transatlantic slave trade during the 18th century. It is globally renowned as the birthplace of The Beatles and for its two historic football clubs, with its maritime mercantile heritage recognized in its UNESCO-designated waterfront.
Tottenham
Tottenham is a district in North London, historically part of Middlesex, known for its diverse community and industrial heritage. It is home to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, founded in 1882, and the iconic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The area also contains landmarks like Bruce Castle, a 16th-century manor house with a museum documenting local history.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a historic Mediterranean port city and the capital of Catalonia, Spain, with origins dating back to a Roman colony in the 1st century BC. It is globally renowned for its unique architecture, most notably the modernist masterpieces of Antoni Gaudí like the Sagrada Família, and its vibrant cultural life. The city’s rich history is visible in its Gothic Quarter and its role as a major economic and cultural center.
Chelsea
Chelsea is a historic and affluent district in West London, known for its association with the arts and the famous Chelsea Flower Show. Its history dates back to the 18th century when it became a fashionable residential area, and it was later a hub for artists and musicians during the 1960s. The area is also home to the Chelsea Football Club, founded in 1905.
Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Clube de Portugal, commonly known as Sporting Lisbon, is a major Portuguese sports club founded in Lisbon in 1906. It is renowned for its successful football academy, which has produced world-class players like Cristiano Ronaldo, and has historically been one of the “Big Three” clubs in Portuguese football alongside Benfica and FC Porto.
Manchester City
Manchester City is a professional football club based in Manchester, England, founded in 1880 as St. Mark’s (West Gorton). The club has a rich history, achieving major success in domestic and European competitions, particularly following significant investment in the 21st century which transformed its fortunes. Its home ground is the Etihad Stadium in east Manchester.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and famous football clubs, historically renowned for its European success, including a record number of UEFA Champions League titles. The club has been home to many legendary players and is deeply embedded in Spanish sporting and cultural identity.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan, officially known as Football Club Internazionale Milano, is an Italian professional football club founded in 1908 by a group of Milan Cricket and Football Club dissidents who wanted to accept foreign players, hence the name “Internazionale.” It is one of Italy’s most successful clubs, with numerous Serie A titles and European trophies, including three UEFA Champions League victories.
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain is a professional football club based in Paris, France, founded in 1970 following the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain. It has become one of France’s most successful clubs, winning numerous domestic titles and establishing itself as a major force in European football.
Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne is a historic city in northeast England, originally founded as a Roman settlement called Pons Aelius. It later grew into a major medieval fortified town and became a global centre for coal mining and heavy industry during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, it is known for its iconic bridges, vibrant cultural scene, and the enduring legacy of its industrial past.
Juventus
Juventus is a professional football club based in Turin, Italy, founded in 1897. It is one of the most successful clubs in Italian football history, having won numerous Serie A titles and European trophies.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1903. Historically considered a symbol of resilience and passion, the club has a rich history of success, including numerous La Liga titles and Copa del Rey victories, often positioning itself as a fierce rival to the more affluent Real Madrid.
Atalanta
Atalanta is a figure from Greek mythology, renowned as a swift and skilled huntress who participated in the Calydonian Boar hunt and famously challenged her suitors to a footrace. While not a physical site, her story is preserved in ancient texts like those of Ovid and Apollodorus, reflecting themes of independence and skill valued in classical culture.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen is a German professional football club founded in 1904 by employees of the pharmaceutical company Bayer AG. Originally a works team, it has grown into a top-tier Bundesliga club known for its strong youth development and consistent performances.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund is a German professional football club based in Dortmund, founded in 1909. It is one of the country’s most successful clubs, historically known for its passionate fanbase and winning multiple Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Champions League in 1997.
Olympiacos
Olympiacos is a major professional football club based in Piraeus, Greece, founded in 1925. It is historically the most successful club in Greek football, having won numerous domestic championships and cups. The club has a deep-rooted rivalry with Panathinaikos, and its home matches are played at the Karaiskakis Stadium, a venue with significant historical ties to Greek sporting history.
Club Brugge
Club Brugge is a professional football club based in Bruges, Belgium, founded in 1891. It is one of the country’s most successful clubs, with numerous domestic league and cup titles, and famously reached the European Cup final in 1978.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray is a historic district in Istanbul, Turkey, most famous for the elite Galatasaray High School (Galatasaray Lisesi) founded in 1481 during the Ottoman Empire. The name is also globally recognized for Galatasaray Sports Club, one of Turkey’s most successful and historic football teams, established in 1905 by students of the high school.
Monaco
Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, known for its luxury and as the home of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Historically ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297, its modern era is defined by its status as a tax haven and a thriving tourism and banking center.
Qarabag
Qarabag, also known as Karabakh, is a historically significant region in the South Caucasus, primarily located within modern-day Azerbaijan. It has been a focal point of conflict for centuries, most notably during the Nagorno-Karabakh Wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The area is known for its ancient cultural heritage, including medieval Armenian monasteries and Azerbaijani khanates.
Bodø/Glimt
Bodø/Glimt is a Norwegian professional football club based in Bodø, founded in 1916. The club has a long history in Norwegian football but rose to major prominence in recent years, winning its first Eliteserien titles in 2020 and 2021.
Benfica
Benfica is a historic Lisbon neighborhood best known as the home of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, one of Portugal’s most successful and popular football clubs, founded in 1904. The area’s modern identity is deeply intertwined with the club’s history and its iconic Estádio da Luz stadium.
