English Clubs Take Centre Stage in CL League Phase Qualifiers

By Francis Onyach - Reporter

Kenya, 29 January 2026 - English clubs have stood out in this season’s UEFA Champions League league phase under the expanded 36-team format, with five of the six Premier League representatives finishing in the top eight and securing automatic progression to the round of 16 without needing the knockout play-offs.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City all booked their places thanks to strong group-phase campaigns.

Arsenal were outstanding throughout the league phase, winning all eight of their matches and sitting comfortably at the top before the final matchday. Their consistency and attacking firepower made them the benchmark in the competition.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur also secured direct qualification spots. Both clubs accumulated enough points to finish inside the top eight, bringing them straight through to the round of 16 under the new format.

Chelsea and Manchester City completed the strong English contingent by finishing just behind the others but still within the top eight due to crucial victories on the final matchday, especially City’s win that sealed their spot.

Because of their league-phase finishes, these five English clubs avoid the extra play-off round in February and go straight into the round of 16 tie, giving them a strategic advantage. Extra matches can add fatigue and risk, so direct qualification is a big boost ahead of the knockout stages.

This dominance also reflects how English teams have performed in the wider competition and contributed to UEFA’s coefficient rankings, helping the Premier League earn additional European slots for future seasons.

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While English clubs filled most of the top eight, FC Barcelona secured direct qualification for Spain by finishing in the top eight after a strong comeback win on the final matchday. They now join that knockout round automatically based on their league-phase position.

In contrast, big names like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain missed out on direct qualification after late league results, meaning they must play the knockout play-offs to reach the round of 16.

Why This Matters

The concentrated presence of Premier League clubs in the round of 16 shows how consistently strong English teams have been throughout this season’s Champions League. Their direct qualification not only gives them a clearer path deeper into the competition, but also highlights how competitive club football in England has become at the European level.