How teams can qualify for 2025-26 Champions League knockouts

The league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League has brought plenty of thrills and incredible goals, but the knockout rounds are fast approaching. We’re less than one week away from knowing which 24 teams will advance for a shot at European glory.But first, the final matchweek of the league phase must be played, and the stakes could hardly be higher for some of the continent’s biggest clubs. Liverpool, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain are all competing for top-eight spots, which would send them straight to the round of 16. Manchester City also find themselves among that group, having suffered a shocking 3-1 loss to Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday.The games will all take place Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. ET for what promises to be two hours of pure chaos. Every goal could make a huge difference in determining who moves on and whose European dreams come to a swift, untimely end.As a reminder, the teams that finish first through eighth get to skip the knockout playoff round. The clubs that place ninth through 24th will go head-to-head in that round in February, and those in 25th to 36th are eliminated. And just like last year, no teams will drop into the Europa League from the Champions League.Which teams are still in the running for the knockout rounds? What’s at stake for every club? Here’s everything you need to know before the final matchweek of the league phase.Round of 16 (2): Arsenal are guaranteed to finish first or second, and thus take a top seeding position in the bracket. Bayern Munich sealed their round-of-16 spot with a 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday.We’re set for a thrilling final matchweek, as both the top-eight and top-24 races will go down to the wire. At the top, only Arsenal and Bayern can feel fully secure with their positions in the table, while 32 out of 36 teams could still make the knockout rounds.(Each team below is listed with its opponent in the final matchweek on Jan. 28.)1. Arsenal (21 points, plus-18 goal difference) Kairat Almaty (Home)