2025/26 Champions League: UEFA Alter Squad Regulations Days Before Tournament Begins
- The biggest favourite to win the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League has been disclosed ahead of the competition kickoff next week
- UEFA has made a significant rule change ahead of this season's UCL as clubs welcome the decision
- Attention turns to Luis Enrique’s treble-winning Paris Saint-Germain as they bid to retain their Champions League crown
UEFA have introduced a late change to squad rules for European competitions only days before the UEFA Champions League (UCL) kicks off, offering a potential boost to sidelined Premier League players.
The competition kicks off next week with attention fixed on Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who will look to replicate last season’s historic triumph that delivered their first Champions League trophy.
Source: Getty Images
According to UEFA, opening fixtures see PSG take on Atalanta, Liverpool host Atletico Madrid at Anfield, Chelsea travel to face Bayern Munich, and Newcastle welcome Barcelona to St James’ Park.
Other fixtures also see last edition's finalists Inter Milan travel to Ajax, Mohammed Kudus' Tottenham Hotspur do battle against Thomas Partey's Villarreal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Real Madrid welcome Olympique de Marseille to the Santiago Bernabeu, Juventus lock horns against Borussia Dortmund, and Inaki Williams' Athletic Bilbao face Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
UEFA introduces Champions League squad rules
Ahead of the commencement of the 2025/26 UCL, UEFA have confirmed that these Champions League sides, Europa League participants, as well as Conference League teams can now adjust their squads during the group stage.
On Thursday, September 11, the governing body announced that an amendment to the 2025/26 men’s club competition regulations will permit the temporary replacement of one outfield player in cases of long-term injury or illness, with changes allowed up until matchday six of the league phase.
The change was introduced to prevent squad lists from being unfairly depleted and to protect players from added workload pressures.
According to Football Espana, UEFA have also revealed that the 2027 Champions League final will take place at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, which previously staged Liverpool’s triumph against Tottenham in 2019.
Who will win 2025/26 Champions League?
Liverpool have been installed as favourites to win the 2025/26 Champions League, with the Opta supercomputer giving them a 20.4% chance of lifting the trophy.
The reigning Premier League champions will be keen to improve on last season’s campaign, which ended in a round of 16 exit at the hands of eventual winners PSG.
Source: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are considered their biggest challengers with a 16.0% chance, while PSG are the third favourites at 12.1% as they look to defend their crown.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and Hansi Flick's Barcelona are both rated at 8.4%, with Enzo Maresca's Chelsea (7.0%), Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid (5.8%) and Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich (4.3%) completing the list of main contenders.
2024/25 Opta Champions League predictions
YEN.com.gh previously highlighted Opta Supercomputer’s predictions for last season’s Champions League, which ended with PSG lifting their first title in Munich.
Earlier predictions placed Arsenal as frontrunners, but PSG’s semi-final victory over the Premier League side shifted the balance.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
