Man Utd and other European clubs that have so far sealed Champions League spots
By Joel Masibo, May 12, 2026Manchester United have officially booked their place in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League after edging Liverpool 3-2 at Old Trafford earlier in May 2026.
The crucial victory ensured the Red Devils would finish inside the Premier League’s top five, joining Arsenal and Manchester City among England’s representatives in next season’s competition. At least two more English clubs are expected to qualify as well.
United’s seeding for the Champions League draw, scheduled for August 2026, will only be finalised later in the year once all participating teams are confirmed.
With most major European leagues set to wrap up over the coming weeks before the FIFA World Cup begins, 18 clubs have already secured qualification for the revamped 36-team tournament that starts in September.
English teams qualification path
In England, the Premier League has been allocated five Champions League slots. Liverpool and Aston Villa remain favourites to claim the remaining places. Should Villa stay fifth and also win the Europa League, the team finishing sixth would earn an additional Champions League berth. Bournemouth currently hold that position, sitting two points ahead of Brighton & Hove Albion.
In Spain, Barcelona clinched their 29th La Liga crown after defeating Real Madrid 2-0 at the Nou Camp. Goals from Marcus Rashford, currently on loan from United, and Ferran Torres sealed the title. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid have already secured qualification, while Real Betis and Celta Vigo continue battling for the final available position.
Italy’s Inter Milan captured another Serie A title, marking their third league triumph in six seasons, and confirmed a ninth consecutive Champions League appearance. Napoli, Juventus and AC Milan presently occupy the other qualification spots, although Roma and surprise package Como remain in contention.
German giants Bayern Munich reclaimed the Bundesliga title under Vincent Kompany and will return to Europe’s elite tournament alongside Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. Stuttgart and Hoffenheim are level on points in the race for the final qualification slot, while Bayer Leverkusen still have slim hopes of making it.
Qualification in France
In France, reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on another Ligue 1 title, while Lens have also secured qualification for next season’s competition. Lille, Lyon and Rennes are still fighting for the remaining spots.
Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven have comfortably sealed qualification after dominating the Eredivisie title race. Feyenoord also confirmed their place, while Ajax, Twente and NEC Nijmegen are among the clubs chasing qualification rounds.
Portugal will be represented by FC Porto, who won the domestic league for the first time in four years. Benfica and Sporting CP are still competing for the remaining qualification opportunities heading into the final week of the campaign.
Galatasaray secured a fourth successive Turkish league title after coming from behind to defeat Antalyaspor, guaranteeing direct entry into the Champions League league phase. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, will begin their journey in the qualifying rounds.
Ukraine’s path
In Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk benefited from Arsenal and PSG reaching the 2026 Champions League final after both had already qualified domestically, allowing the Ukrainian champions to move directly into the league phase instead of entering qualification rounds.
The clubs already certain of taking part include Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, FC Porto, Feyenoord, Galatasaray, Inter Milan, Lens, Manchester City, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven, RB Leipzig, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk and Villarreal.