The stage is set for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stages after Wednesday night’s play-off drama delivered the final four names to complete the expanded 36-team line-up.
Benfica, Club Brugge, Qarabağ and Copenhagen all sealed qualification in emphatic or nervy fashion, joining Europe’s heavyweights and a handful of first-time entrants in the newly formatted league phase.
The official draw will take place later today, August 28, in Monaco at 5 p.m., where each club will learn its eight unique opponents.
Naija News reports that Kairat Almaty carved their names into football history on Tuesday night, holding their nerve to dump out Scottish giants Celtic on penalties and secure a maiden group-stage appearance.
Pafos FC, meanwhile, made Cypriot football proud with a first-ever qualification, edging Red Star Belgrade 3-2 on aggregate. Norway’s Bodø/Glimt also booked their place, riding on last week’s 5-0 demolition of Sturm Graz to advance 6-2 despite a second-leg defeat in Austria.
Benfica edge past Fenerbahçe
At the Estádio da Luz, Portuguese giants Benfica proved resilient in a tight affair with Fenerbahçe. Kerem Aktürkoğlu struck the decisive goal in the 35th minute, sending the Lisbon side through 1-0 on aggregate.
Fenerbahçe threatened a late comeback when Youssef En-Nesyri’s header rattled the crossbar, but Benfica stood firm. To compound the visitors’ frustration, former Eagles forward Talisca saw red in the closing stages.
Qarabağ’s narrow escape in Baku
In Azerbaijan, Qarabağ survived a tense finish against Ferencváros to clinch only their second Champions League appearance. Goals from Leandro Andrade and Abdellah Zoubir overturned an early setback before Ferencváros struck back through Barnabás Varga and Alex Tóth. Ultimately, Qarabağ’s first-leg advantage proved decisive as they squeezed through 5-4 on aggregate.
Copenhagen too strong for Basel
Danish champions Copenhagen were in control from start to finish against Basel, winning 2-0 on the night and 3-1 overall.
Andreas Cornelius powered home a header just after the restart, before Youssoufa Moukoko sealed the victory with a late penalty.
Club Brugge dismantle Rangers
The most ruthless display of the night came in Belgium. Club Brugge dismantled Rangers 6-0, completing a 9-1 aggregate thrashing to book their eighth Champions League campaign in the past decade.
Nicolò Tresoldi opened the floodgates before Hans Vanaken, Joaquin Seys (2), Aleksandar Stanković and Christos Tzolis piled on the misery for the Scottish side.
Below are all the 36 clubs who have qualified for the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League campaign:
England (6 clubs)
1. Arsenal
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Manchester City
5. Newcastle United
6. Tottenham Hotspur
Spain (6 clubs)
7. Athletic Club
8. Atlético de Madrid
9. Barcelona
10. Real Madrid
11. Villarreal
Germany (4 clubs)
12. Bayern München
13. Borussia Dortmund
14. Eintracht Frankfurt
15. Bayer Leverkusen
Italy (4 clubs)
16. Atalanta
17. Inter Milan
18. Juventus
19. Napoli
France (3 clubs)
20. Marseille
21. Monaco
22. Paris Saint-Germain
Portugal (2 clubs)
23. Benfica
24. Sporting CP
Netherlands (2 clubs)
25. Ajax
26. PSV Eindhoven
Belgium (2 clubs)
27. Club Brugge
28. Union SG
29. Bodø/Glimt (Norway)
30. Copenhagen (Denmark)
31. Galatasaray (Turkey)
32. Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan)
33. Olympiacos (Greece)
34. Pafos (Cyprus)
35. Qarabağ (Azerbaijan)
36. Slavia Praha (Czech Republic)
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