Chelsea Discovers Their Champions League Fate: European Powerhouses Set to Battle the Blues in Epic 2025-26 Showdown!
Following a short hiatus, Chelsea have returned to elite European competition. Champions League action makes its comeback to Stamford Bridge for the 2025–26 campaign.
Despite initially having minimal European credentials, the Blues have become England's most triumphant club on the continental stage during the 21st century. They've secured two Champions League titles, two Europa League victories, and completed their collection by capturing the Conference League trophy earlier this year.
With rich European history now established, Enzo Maresca's squad will look to make their presence felt in this season's tournament, having defeated the reigning European champions in last month's Club World Cup final.
Below are the potential opponents Chelsea might encounter in the Champions League league phase, with the draw scheduled for Thursday.
Which 2025–26 Champions League Pot Contains Chelsea?
Chelsea's European achievements have earned them a coefficient that secures a Pot 1 position. The Blues have edged out clubs like Arsenal and Atlético Madrid for the top pot, though the league phase format means pot placement carries less significance.
Maresca's team will face two clubs from each of the four pots to complete their eight league phase fixtures, but cannot meet teams from their own member association.
Therefore, they cannot be paired with Liverpool or Manchester City from Pot 1, nor Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
Chelsea's 2025–26 Possible Champions League League Phase Matchups
Club | Nation | Pot |
|---|---|---|
PSG | France | 1 |
Real Madrid | Spain | 1 |
Bayern Munich | Germany | 1 |
Inter | Italy | 1 |
Borussia Dortmund | Germany | 1 |
Barcelona | Spain | 1 |
Bayer Leverkusen | Germany | 2 |
Atlético Madrid | Spain | 2 |
Atalanta | Italy | 2 |
Villarreal | Spain | 2 |
Juventus | Italy | 2 |
Eintracht Frankfurt | Germany | 2 |
PSV Eindhoven | Netherlands | 3 |
Ajax | Netherlands | 3 |
Napoli | Italy | 3 |
Sporting CP | Portugal | 3 |
Olympiacos | Greece | 3 |
Slavia Prague | Czechia | 3 |
Marseille | France | 3 |
Monaco | France | 3/4 |
Galatasaray | Türkiye | 4 |
Union Saint-Gilloise | Belgium | 4 |
Athletic Club | Spain | 4 |
Seven positions remain available in the league phase, to be decided through playoff matches. Once all 36 teams are confirmed, Chelsea will have 30 possible opponents.
Currently, there are 23 confirmed teams.
The Blues' Pot 1 possibilities are well-defined, with two English clubs limiting Chelsea's choices to six teams. They'll face two from Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona.
Arsenal isn't available from Pot 2, but challenging alternatives await the Conference League champions. Diego Simeone's Atlético are consistently difficult opponents, while Villarreal have shown promise early this season. Questions remain about Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta following managerial changes, while Juventus represents a sleeping giant seeking revival. Eintracht Frankfurt fell to Spurs in last season's Europa League quarterfinals.
Antonio Conte's Napoli headline Pot 3, given the Italian manager's Chelsea history. The Blues might also encounter PSV Eindhoven or Ajax, plus Marseille, Slavia Prague, Olympiacos or Sporting CP.
Most playoff qualifiers will land in Pot 4, potentially including Monaco based on upcoming results. Galatasaray, Union Saint-Gilloise and Athletic Club represent current possibilities.
Chelsea's Most Challenging Potential 2025–26 Champions League League Phase Opponents
Chelsea should feel confident against any opponent in this tournament, particularly following their Club World Cup success, but PSG remain the world's premier team and favorites to reclaim their title in 2026.
Barcelona narrowly missed the final last season and deserve recognition as the second-strongest contender behind PSG after securing a domestic treble.
Pot 2 presents uncertainty due to managerial changes, but Atlético Madrid and Villarreal currently seem the most formidable teams, while Juventus possesses the greatest European heritage. Leverkusen and Atalanta are likely to decline.
Conte's Napoli represents the primary threat from Pot 3, despite the renowned Italian manager's modest Champions League record. PSV Eindhoven regularly compete in the Champions League but suffered heavily against Arsenal in last season's round of 16. They or Marseille could prove the toughest Pot 3 draw alongside Napoli.
Pot 4 remains largely undetermined, but the Blues would prefer avoiding a journey to Istanbul against Galatasaray. Athletic Club reached the Europa League semifinals in their previous appearance.