UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw: PSG Face Barca, Bayern; KDB Earns Man City Return

Paris Saint-Germain was handed a tough start to the defense of its Champions League title when the draw was made Thursday with no opponent from any of the lower-ranked nations. PSG was drawn against Bayern Munich and Barcelona from the pot of top-ranked teams, while Tottenham came from the pot of third-seeded teams in a repeat of their tight Super Cup game two weeks ago. And the French champion was paired with arguably the two toughest opponents from the lowest-ranked teams: Newcastle and Athletic Bilbao. Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta and Portuguese champion Sporting Lisbon complete the title holder’s slate of eight games in the 36-team league phase. Real Madrid also got a challenging draw, including a long-haul trip to play Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan — 6,420 kilometers (4,000 miles) from the Spanish capital, which is the furthest east the Champions League has ever gone.

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Updated on: 29 August 2025 11:08 am

Monaco Soccer UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw result_1

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw | Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani

The final results are seen on a screen after the Champions League soccer league phase draw in Monaco.

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Monaco Soccer UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw result_2

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw | Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani

From left: former Brazilian player Kaka, UEFA Deputy General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti, former soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic and hosts Reshmin Chowdhury and Pedro Pinto smile after the Champions League soccer league phase draw in Monaco.

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Monaco Soccer UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw result_Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Barcelona

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw | Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani

Former soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic displays Barcelona during the Champions League soccer league phase draw in Monaco.

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Monaco Soccer UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw result_Manchester City

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw | Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani

Former soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic displays Manchester City during the Champions League soccer league phase draw in Monaco.

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Monaco Soccer UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw result_Real Madrid

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw | Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani

Former soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic displays Real Madrid during the Champions League soccer league phase draw in Monaco.

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Monaco Soccer UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw result_ Kaka, Tottenham Hotspur

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw | Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani

Former Brazilian player Kaka displays Tottenham Hotspur during the Champions League soccer league phase draw in Monaco.

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Monaco Soccer UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw result_Juventus

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw | Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani

Former soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic displays Juventus during the Champions League soccer league phase draw in Monaco.

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Monaco Soccer UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw result_Arsenal

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw | Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani

Former soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic displays Arsenal during the Champions League soccer league phase draw in Monaco.

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Monaco Soccer UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw result_Chelsea F.C.

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw | Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani

Former soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic displays Chelsea F.C. during the Champions League soccer league phase draw in Monaco.

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Monaco Soccer UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw result_Giorgio Marchetti

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw | Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani

From left: Former soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, UEFA Deputy General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti and former Brazilian player Kaka attend the Champions League soccer league phase draw in Monaco.