The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase is officially complete after Benfica, Club Brugge, Copenhagen, and Qarabağ secured the final four spots in Wednesday night’s play-off second legs.
Their victories complete the expanded 36-team line-up, with the draw taking place today (Thursday) at 18:00 CET in Monaco.
Earlier in the week, Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty carved their name into history by reaching the Champions League group stage for the first time, edging Celtic 3–2 on penalties. Bodø/Glimt (Norway) and Pafos FC (Cyprus) also secured maiden berths, ensuring a diverse mix of debutants and established giants in this year’s competition.
🔹 Benfica edge Fenerbahçe
At the Estádio da Luz, a first-half strike from Kerem Aktürkoğlu gave Benfica a narrow 1-0 aggregate win over Fenerbahçe. The Turkish side nearly equalised when Youssef En-Nesyri’s header rattled the crossbar, but Benfica held firm despite a late red card for former forward Anderson Talisca.
🔹 Qarabağ hold off Ferencváros
In Baku, Qarabağ sealed only their second-ever Champions League appearance, surviving a late fightback from Ferencváros. Goals from Leandro Andrade and Abdellah Zoubir overturned an early deficit before the visitors clawed back through Barnabás Varga and Alex Tóth. Qarabağ advanced 5-4 on aggregate.
🔹 Copenhagen too strong for Basel
Danish champions Copenhagen secured a 3-1 aggregate victory with a 2-0 win on the night. Andreas Cornelius scored a crucial header just after halftime before Youssoufa Moukoko converted a late penalty. Goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski impressed again with key saves to keep a clean sheet.
🔹 Club Brugge demolish Rangers
Belgian giants Club Brugge delivered the most emphatic win of the night, thrashing Rangers 6-0 (9-1 agg.). Goals came from Nicolò Tresoldi, Hans Vanaken, Joaquin Seys (2), Aleksandar Stanković, and Christos Tzolis. Brugge have now qualified for the Champions League in eight of the last ten seasons.
✅ Full 36-Team Line-Up
Ajax (NED), Arsenal (ENG), Atalanta (ITA), Athletic Club (ESP), Atlético de Madrid (ESP), Barcelona (ESP), Bayern München (GER), Benfica (POR), Bodø/Glimt (NOR), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Chelsea (ENG), Club Brugge (BEL), Copenhagen (DEN), Eintracht Frankfurt (GER), Galatasaray (TUR), Inter Milan (ITA), Juventus (ITA), Kairat Almaty (KAZ), Bayer Leverkusen (GER), Liverpool (ENG), Manchester City (ENG), Marseille (FRA), Monaco (FRA), Napoli (ITA), Newcastle United (ENG), Olympiacos (GRE), Pafos FC (CYP), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), PSV Eindhoven (NED), Qarabağ (AZE), Real Madrid (ESP), Slavia Praha (CZE), Sporting CP (POR), Tottenham Hotspur (ENG), Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL), Villarreal (ESP).
🔜 What’s Next?
The Champions League league-phase draw takes place today, Thursday 28 August, in Monaco at 18:00 CET. UEFA’s software-assisted system will pair each team with eight unique opponents, creating a brand-new league format.
The fixture schedule will be released on Friday, 30 August, setting the stage for another thrilling season of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
