The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoffs have come to an end with eight sides joining the top eight league phase finishers, bringing a clearer picture of the potential round of 16 matchups into focus.
The second leg of the knockout phase playoffs took center stage this week and, on Tuesday, Atlético Madrid, Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen comfortably progressed to the last 16. But it was Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt who stole the headlines going into San Siro and building on to their first leg advantage to eliminate last year’s finalists Inter Milan.
Thursday’s second legs began with Atalanta reverting a two-goal deficit to qualify past German giants Borussia Dortmund. Galatasaray, Real Madrid and reigning holders Paris Saint-Germain protected their first leg advantages to qualify for the last 16. All three sides suffered significantly more than expected, especially the Turkish giants, who required extra time to defeat 10-men Juventus.
With all remaining 16 teams confirmed, the potential Champions League round of 16 matchups are starting to take shape.
Every Potential Champions League Round of 16 Matchup
| Team | Possible Round of 16 Opponents |
|---|---|
| (1) Arsenal | Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen |
| (2) Bayern Munich | Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen |
| (3) Liverpool | Galatasaray or Atlético Madrid |
| (4) Tottenham | Galatasaray or Atlético Madrid |
| (5) Chelsea | Newcastle United or Paris Saint-Germain |
| (6) Barcelona | Newcastle United or Paris Saint-Germain |
| (7) Sporting CP | Real Madrid or Bodø/Glimt |
| (8) Manchester City | Real Madrid or Bodø/Glimt |
Some absolutely thrilling contests could be brewing as the round of 16 potential matchups get narrowed down.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich were the top-two sides in the league phase and although they’ll be favored against whichever rival, a potential bout against Atalanta—who pulled-off a sensational comeback against Borussia Dortmund—could be a nervy prospect.
Following Atlético Madrid’s qualification, a mouthwatering clash against Liverpool could come to fruition. Six years after Diego Simeone’s men dispatched the-then reigning champion Reds in a memorable round of 16 tie, the two sides could collide with the second leg at Anfield yet again.
Both Chelsea and Barcelona’s rewards for qualifying among the top eight could see either side battle reigning holders Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16. PSG already defeated Barcelona earlier in the term and Luis Enrique’s side dispatched the Catalans in the quarterfinals two seasons ago.
Chelsea and PSG would be a repeat of the 2025 Club World Cup final, where the Blues denied the Parisians from collecting every available trophy on the year. Regardless of who gets PSG, one of Chelsea or Barcelona will be forced to dance with Newcastle United, who just scored nine goals across the two legs of their playoff round victory.
Finally, Manchester City and Real Madrid could rekindle the biggest modern-era European rivalry in arguably the most attractive potential round of 16 matchup. The two juggernauts have faced off in the knockout rounds in each of the last four seasons, and the winner of their tie has gone on to lift the trophy on three of those occasions.
When Is the Champions League Round of 16 Draw?
The Champions League round of 16 draw will take place on Friday, Feb. 27, less than two days after the conclusion of the knockout playoffs. The draw is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. GMT (6 a.m. ET, 3 a.m. PT).
The pre-seeded teams that finished in the top eight of the league phase were divided into pairs, based on their finishing position. Teams from each pair will be split and placed on opposite sides of the bracket—silver side or blue side—during Friday’s draw.
The knockout round playoff winners already know which side of the bracket they are placed on. On Friday, they’ll learn which of their two potential pre-seeded opponents will be drawn to their side of the bracket, consequently confirming the round of 16 matches—and the finalized knockout round bracket for the remainder of the Champions League campaign.
The round of 16 draw will be broadcasted on UEFA’s official website.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Every Potential Match in the 2025–26 Champions League Round of 16.
