Teams in Champions League knockouts: List of clubs qualified for Round of 16, knockout playoffs in 2025/26

Teams in Champions League knockouts: List of clubs qualified for Round of 16, knockout playoffs in 2025/26 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

We’re approaching crunch time in the UEFA Champions League as teams battle it out for a place in the knockouts.

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There are just two more matchdays remaining in the league phase and no side has yet been mathematically eliminated from contention for at least a spot in the knockout-stage playoff round.

A lot could be decided on matchday seven this week, although we’re not likely to get a clear picture until we head into the final league-phase round on January 28, when all matches take place at the same time.

Here is a run-down of how things look in terms of teams qualifying for the Round of 16.

MORE: Champions League top scorers 2025/26 | All-time leading UCL goal-scorers

Teams in Champions League knockouts 2025/26

The top eight teams in the league-phase table qualify directly to the Round of 16, bypassing the playoff round completely.

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It’s an extremely coveted position as those sides not only avoid the peril of a playoff matchup but are also seeded in the Round of 16 draw, so they will be partnered with an opponent that finished lower in the table.

After matchday seven in 2025/26, Arsenal and Bayern Munich were the only teams to have mathematically guaranteed a bye to the Round of 16. Several other teams are guaranteed at least a playoff spot.

Teams qualified for Champions League Round of 16

• Bayern Munich

• Real Madrid*

• Liverpool*

• Tottenham Hotspur*

• Paris Saint-Germain*

• Newcastle United*

• Sporting CP*

• Barcelona*

• Manchester City*

• Atletico Madrid*

• Inter Milan*

*Guaranteed at least a knockout-phase playoff place. Not yet qualified automatically for Round of 16.

Teams qualified for Champions League knockout playoffs

Below the top eight Round of 16 byes, the next 16 clubs qualify to the knockout-round playoffs.

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Positions 9-16 will be seeded in the playoff-round draw and will have the preferred second-leg home match, while positions 17-24 are unseeded.

Prior to matchday seven of the league phase, only the below five teams — Arsenal, Bayern Munich, PSG, Manchester City, and Atalanta — were certain of at least a knockout-playoff place.

Teams in Champions League knockout playoffs 2025/26

Teams eliminated from Champions League 2025/26

On matchweek seven, only four teams had their interest in the competition completely ended, meaning 30 of the 36 competitiors still ahve something at stake on January 28.

Teams eliminated from the Champions League league phase

• Villarreal

• Slavia Prague

• Eintracht Frankfurt

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When are the Champions League knockout playoffs 2025/26?

The first legs of the playoff matches will take place over February 17-18, 2026. The return legs are a week later over February 24-25.

When are Champions League Round of 16 games 2025/26?

The Round of 16 games will be played over March 10-11, and March 17-18.