How teams can qualify for 2025-26 Champions League knockouts - ESPN

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 about to find out 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, Chelsea, 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. ManchesterCity also find themselves among that group, having suffered a shocking 3-1 loss to Bodo/Glimt last week.

The games will all take place Wednesday 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.

Guaranteed at least a place in the knockout playoff round (13):
Real Madrid, Liverpool, Tottenham, PSG, Newcastle, Chelsea,