The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase is officially set after Benfica, Club Brugge, Qarabağ and Copenhagen clinched the last four places in Wednesday’s play-off second legs.
Their victories finalise the expanded 36-team line-up, with the historic first draw for the new league phase to be held today (Thursday) at 18:00 CET in Monaco.
Newcomers Make History
Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty carved their names into football folklore on Tuesday night, edging Celtic 3–2 on penalties to secure a maiden appearance in the Champions League.
Norway’s Bodø/Glimt also advanced after a dominant 6-2 aggregate win over Sturm Graz, while Cyprus’ Pafos FC celebrated their first-ever qualification by eliminating Red Star Belgrade 3-2 across two legs.
Wednesday’s Deciders
Benfica edge Fenerbahçe At the Estádio da Luz, Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s first-half strike proved decisive, giving Benfica a narrow 1-0 aggregate win.
Former Eagle Talisca was dismissed late on as Fenerbahçe’s frustration boiled over, Qarabağ hold off Ferencváros , the Azerbaijani champions reached the Champions League for only the second time, overcoming Ferencváros 5-4 on aggregate after a dramatic 2-2 draw in Baku.
Goals from Leandro Andrade and Abdellah Zoubir turned the tie before the visitors struck back through Barnabás Varga and Alex Tóth.
Copenhagen too strong for Basel Danish champions Copenhagen advanced 3-1 on aggregate with a 2-0 home win.
Andreas Cornelius broke the deadlock after half-time before Youssoufa Moukoko sealed it from the spot. Keeper Dominik Kotarski was outstanding in keeping Basel at bay.
Club Brugge crush Rangers In the night’s biggest result, Club Brugge dismantled Rangers 6-0 (9-1 agg.) to secure their eighth Champions League campaign in the last decade.
Nicolò Tresoldi, Hans Vanaken, Joaquin Seys (2), Aleksandar Stanković and Christos Tzolis all found the net in a ruthless display.
Full 36-Team League Phase Line-Up
Ajax, Arsenal, Atalanta, Athletic Club, Atlético de Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern München, Benfica, Bodø/Glimt, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Club Brugge, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Galatasaray, Inter, Juventus, Kairat Almaty, Leverkusen, Liverpool, Manchester City, Marseille, Monaco, Napoli, Newcastle, Olympiacos, Pafos, Paris, PSV, Qarabağ, Real Madrid, Slavia Praha, Sporting CP, Tottenham, Union SG, Villarreal.
What’s Next?
The inaugural league-phase draw will be conducted today in Monaco, pairing each club with eight unique opponents using UEFA’s software-assisted system.
The fixture schedule is expected to follow on Friday, 30 August.
With the line-up complete, Europe’s elite — joined by four fresh faces — now await their fate in what promises to be a thrilling new era of the Champions League.