Champions League Final League Phase Matches: Who Is Through and Who Still Has a Chance?

Kenya, January 28 ,2026 - The UEFA Champions League has moved into its last matchday of the league phase, with all 36 teams battling for the eight automatic places in the round of 16 or fighting to reach the knockout play-off spots. This season’s format sees the top eight teams in the overall standings qualify directly for the last 16, while clubs ranked 9th to 24th will enter a two-legged knockout play-off to try to reach the final 16.

Confirmed or Nearly Confirmed Last-16 Spots

At this stage, Arsenal are already firmly in the top two and guaranteed a spot in the last 16 thanks to an impressive run of results that has them well clear of the chasing pack on points. Their dominance means they are almost certain to finish among the top eight in the league standings.

Bayern Munich have also secured their qualification. With a strong points tally and positive results throughout the campaign, the German giants sit comfortably inside the top eight and will be through regardless of what happens on the final matchday.

Several other traditional European heavyweights are in strong positions to seal direct entry to the round of 16 if they win their final games:

Real Madrid and Liverpool both sit on solid points totals that should see them finish in the top eight if they secure victories in their concluding fixtures. For Liverpool, a win at home would almost certainly book their place without needing to worry over goal difference.

Tottenham Hotspur are also in the mix just outside the confirmed group. A win in their final matchday tie would almost certainly be enough to guarantee a top-eight finish.

Even if a club doesn’t finish in the top eight, a strong league phase places teams between 9th and 24th, earning a place in the knockout play-off round. This includes most of the elite clubs that have had mixed results this season but remain in contention for European progression. Notable teams here include Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Sporting CP, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Inter Milan and Juventus. These sides are not guaranteed direct qualification but still have a strong chance to reach the last 16 via the play-offs.

There are also teams further down the standings that can still jump into play-off spots if they win and other results go their way. Clubs like Ajax, Benfica, Bayern Leverkusen, Monaco, Napoli, Marseille and others remain alive mathematically and will be pushing hard in their final league-phase games.