UEFA has introduced a late change to squad registration rules for European competitions, just days ahead of the Champions League kickoff—a move that could open doors for previously overlooked Premier League players.
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The prestigious tournament begins next week, featuring a record-breaking six English clubs in the Champions League lineup. ..Continue Reading
Among the standout fixtures in the opening round: Chelsea travel to face Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich, Liverpool—Premier League title holders and current leaders—host Atletico Madrid, and Newcastle welcome Barcelona to St James’ Park.
These teams, along with fellow Champions League contenders Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham, Europa League participants Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace in the Conference League, will now have the flexibility to adjust their squad lists during the group stage.
UEFA announced in a Thursday statement: “The Executive Committee approved an amendment to the 2025/26 UEFA men’s club competitions’ regulations to admit the temporary replacement of a maximum of one outfield player with long-term injury or illness during the league phase until matchday 6 included.
“The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure.”
Matchday six marks the final round of the group stage in the Conference League, while the Champions League and Europa League will resume with matchdays seven and eight respectively in the new year.
Chelsea may opt to swap out the injured Liam Delap from their Champions League roster, potentially bringing in recent acquisition Facundo Buononotte. Delap is currently sidelined due to a hamstring issue.
Several high-profile names have also been omitted from their clubs’ Champions League squads. Among them are Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa, Tottenham’s Mathys Tel, and Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus, who is recovering from injury.
UEFA has officially announced that the 2027 Champions League final will take place at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, home of Atletico Madrid.
This will be the venue’s second time hosting the prestigious event, the first being in 2019 when Liverpool defeated Tottenham in an all-English final.
As for the Women’s Champions League final in 2027, it is set to be held at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland.