Who Chelsea Could Face in the 2025–26 Champions League Round of 16

The Blues are hoping to go on another memorable Champions League run.

Chelsea secured a top-eight spot. | Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images

When Chelsea conquered the continent in 2012 and 2021, mid-season managerial changes proved crucial in those triumphs.

Roberto Di Matteo was the Blues’ unlikely saviour on the road to Munich, while Thomas Tuchel, a Champions League finalist the season before, was able to mastermind an eerie but nonetheless impressive journey to glory in front of few supporters.

Chelsea, Conference League winners last season, thus have a knack, especially when they’re unfancied. With Liam Rosenior now at the helm, the west Londoners are not regarded as serious contenders for this season’s Champions League crown, but his fine start to the job perhaps renders them contenders all the same.

A second-half turnaround in Naples on the final day of the league phase made sure they secured a sixth-place finish, and here’s who they could face in the round of 16.

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Chelsea’s Potential Champions League Round of 16 Opponents

Chelsea will face PSG or Newcastle in the last 16. | Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/Getty Images

For a good chunk of their clash against Napoli, Chelsea found themselves out of the top eight and poised for a playoff spot. However, João Pedro’s stunning second-half brace helped Rosenior’s side up to sixth.

As a result, they are paired with Barcelona, who finished fifth, when it comes to round of 16 opponents and bracket placement and will now be on the opposite side of the draw to the La Liga champions throughout the knockout stages. They each will face a winner from two earlier ties.

In the knockout playoffs, Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 5–4 on aggregate following the two legs of the all-Ligue 1 encounter. Meanwhile, Newcastle United are also through to the last 16 thanks to a comprehensive 9–3 aggregate victory over Qarabağ of Azerbaijan.

It will be either for Chelsea or Barcelona, dependent on the round of 16 draw.

• Newcastle United or Paris Saint-Germain

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When Is the Champions League Round of 16?

The round of 16 first legs will be played across March 10 and 11, while the second legs have been scheduled for the following week. They’ll take place on March 17 and 18. The draw is held on Feb. 27.

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