Barcelona Discovers Their Champions League Fate: Which European Powerhouses Stand Between the Catalans and Glory?

Barcelona emerged as the top team during the inaugural Champions League league phase, yet their European trophy drought persisted last season despite achieving domestic glory.

Hansi Flick concluded his first season in charge with three titles secured, though his squad fell short in European competition following an epic semifinal clash. "Pazza" Inter delivered a shocking performance against the La Liga winners in the closing stages, ultimately advancing to the final thanks to a composed extra-time strike from Davide Frattesi.

Nevertheless, Flick's Barcelona remains a formidable force with genuine potential to become European champions.

Below are the teams they might encounter in the league phase, with the official draw scheduled for Thursday at UEFA headquarters.

Which 2025–26 Champions League Pot Does Barcelona Belong To?

One might expect Barcelona to consistently occupy Pot 1, yet the Catalan giants fell to Pot 2 during the 2022–23 group stage draw and suffered the consequences of facing Bayern Munich and Inter.

Nevertheless, Barça has reclaimed their Pot 1 status in recent tournaments, securing a place in the top tier for the upcoming draw as the ninth-ranked club according to UEFA's coefficient system. The Spanish champions join Real Madrid in Pot 1, though they cannot meet their eternal Clásico opponents during the league phase.

Flick's team will face two clubs from each pot, with three additional Spanish sides—Atlético Madrid, Villarreal and Athletic Club—ruled out as potential matchups.

Barcelona's 2025–26 Possible Champions League League Phase Matchups

Seven additional teams await confirmation for the league phase, though none are Spanish. Following the playoff completion, Barcelona will have 31 possible opponents.

From Pot 1, Barça cannot meet Madrid, but will draw two teams from Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Inter, Liverpool, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund.

Currently, only four confirmed teams exist in Pot 2, though Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspur might still join this pot. Arsenal leads the Pot 2 rankings, alongside Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, Juventus and Eintracht Frankfurt as alternatives.

Dutch duo PSV Eindhoven and Ajax lead the coefficient standings in Pot 3, while Napoli returns to elite competition after securing their second Scudetto in three seasons. Sporting CP minus striker Viktor Gyökeres, plus Slavia Prague, Olympiacos, Marseille and Monaco represent additional potential matchups.

Barça escapes a challenging Pot 4 opponent in Athletic Club, but might encounter Newcastle United, Galatasaray or Union Saint-Gilloise.

Barcelona's Most Challenging Potential 2025–26 Champions League League Phase Opponents

Inter blocked Barcelona's path to their first Champions League final in ten years last season, though Cristian Chivu's version of the Nerazzurri will likely be less formidable than Simone Inzaghi's squad.

Barcelona, who led the league phase standings previously, would rather avoid defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League winners Liverpool.

Arsenal represents the premier Pot 2 team, demonstrating clear progress in this tournament over recent seasons. After reaching the quarterfinals in 2023–24 and semifinals in 2024–25, the Gunners aim to advance further this campaign.

Considering the uncertainties surrounding many Pot 2 teams, including Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta, Tottenham Hotspur could prove another team to dodge. Thomas Frank's squad appears dangerous for Europe's finest, though their potential this season depends on late transfer window activity.

Antonio Conte possesses a poor Champions League track record, yet nobody will relish facing his Napoli side from Pot 3. PSV Eindhoven lacks elite status but brings considerable experience in this competition.

Barcelona won't welcome away trips to Galatasaray or Newcastle from Pot 4.