Europa League Round of 16: All the Blockbuster Clashes That Could Define the 2025-26 Season
An exciting bracket for the Europa League round of 16 is taking shape following the completion of the knockout phase playoffs.
While the top eight teams from the league phase, including tournament contenders Lyon and Aston Villa, have been resting for the past two weeks, 16 clubs have battled fiercely for a place in the final 16.
Several matchups were relatively comfortable—Stuttgart cruised past Celtic and Celta Vigo handled PAOK with ease. However, others provided thrilling entertainment, such as Panathinaikos' penalty shootout victory over Viktoria Plzeň and Genk's extra-time heroics against Dinamo Zagreb.
With the final 16 Europa League participants now confirmed, the possible round of 16 encounters are becoming clear.
Every Potential Europa League Round of 16 Matchup
Every Potential Europa League Round of 16 Matchup
Team | Possible Round of 16 Opponents |
|---|---|
(1) Lyon | Lille or Celta Vigo |
(2) Aston Villa | Lille or Celta Vigo |
(3) Midtjylland | Panathinaikos or Nottingham Forest |
(4) Real Betis | Panathinaikos or Nottingham Forest |
(5) FC Porto | Stuttgart or Ferencváros |
(6) Braga | Stuttgart or Ferencváros |
(7) Freiburg | Bologna or Genk |
(8) Roma | Bologna or Genk |
The standout potential Europa League round of 16 fixture is a possible encounter between Lyon and Lille. Both teams currently occupy third and fifth positions in Ligue 1 and have already met three times this campaign—twice in domestic league action and once in the Coupe de France.
Lyon emerged victorious in all three encounters, though each contest was settled by just one goal. Typically Lille would prefer to avoid their French counterparts given the recent run of losses, but not when Aston Villa represents the alternative choice.
Unai Emery's squad will approach either Lille or Celta Vigo with confidence in the round of 16. Despite their recent inconsistency, Aston Villa possesses superior quality compared to either potential opponent across nearly every position.
England's other representative Nottingham Forest will encounter either Midtjylland or Real Betis. While the Danish side may have finished ahead of the Spanish team in the league phase, Midtjylland presents less danger than Manuel Pellegrini's squad, who have suffered just five La Liga losses this season—with three coming against Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
Continuing the Premier League connection, former Tottenham star Robbie Keane guided Ferencváros to the round of 16, where his team will meet Porto or Braga. Regardless of the opponent, Hungary's most decorated club will be traveling to Portugal.
Stuttgart will meet the other Portuguese side, successfully avoiding fellow Bundesliga team Freiburg in the next stage. Meanwhile, Freiburg could face a league phase rematch with Bologna; the two sides played to a 1–1 stalemate back in October.
The more compelling fixture would see Bologna drawn against Roma, creating a battle between two of Italy's premier clubs with quarterfinal qualification at stake.
When Is the Europa League Round of 16 Draw?
When Is the Europa League Round of 16 Draw?
The Europa League draw will take place less than 24 hours following the knockout phase playoff conclusion. The ceremony begins on Friday, Feb. 27, at 12 p.m. GMT (7 a.m. ET, 4 a.m. PT).
The eight highest-ranked teams from the league phase are automatically seeded and grouped into pairs according to their final table positions. Unlike the knockout phase playoff victors, these pre-seeded clubs remain unaware of their bracket placement.
During Friday's ceremony, each pair will be separated and assigned to either the silver or orange bracket section, where they will face their designated knockout phase opponent in the round of 16. Once the draw concludes, every team will understand their route to the Europa League final.
Supporters can watch the round of 16 draw ceremony on UEFA's official website at no cost.