Including Real Madrid and PSG: 16 Teams to Compete in Champions League Round of 16 Play-offs

28 January 2026at22:20

The league phase of the UEFA Champions League concluded this Wednesday evening, following 18 matches played as part of the final (eighth) round.

The final round saw a major surprise as Real Madrid failed to secure direct qualification to the Round of 16. They will now have to compete in the play-offs after their 4-2 defeat against hosts Benfica.

Teams finishing from 1st to 8th place qualify directly for the Round of 16, while those ranked from 9th to 24th will participate in the two-legged play-off round.

The play-off teams are:

9- Real Madrid

10- Internazionale

11- Paris Saint-Germain

12- Newcastle United

13- Juventus

14- Atlético Madrid

15- Atalanta

16- Bayer Leverkusen

17- Borussia Dortmund

18- Olympiacos

19- Club Brugge

20- Galatasaray

21- Monaco

22- Qarabağ

23- Bodø/Glimt

24- Benfica

Q&A

Why is Real Madrid competing in the Champions League play-offs?

Real Madrid failed to secure direct qualification to the Round of 16 after a surprising 4-2 defeat against Benfica in the final league phase match, placing them in the play-off round.

What determines which teams participate in the Champions League play-off round?

Teams ranked 9th to 24th in the league phase standings will compete in the two-legged play-off round. Only the top eight finishers secured direct qualification to the Round of 16.

UEFA Champions League

Real Madrid

Paris Saint Germain