Following Manchester United’s heroics against Lyon in the closing minutes of the 2025–2026 season, up to seven Premier League teams may be participating in the UEFA Champions League. Such a situation would have been even less likely if the Red Devils had been kicked out of the Europa League.
Ruben Amorim’s team still has a chance to salvage an otherwise terrible year by winning the secondary continental championship, though, thanks to Harry Maguire’s last-minute victory. United or Tottenham, who eliminated Eintracht Frankfurt to go to the semi-final, would automatically qualify for the Champions League the following season if they were to win the competition.
Although it is quite unlikely, there is a chance that either team will be one of the seven English clubs who qualify for the competition. Spurs and Manchester United may both benefit from the money that comes with qualifying for the Champions League, but how could six more teams join them at the top table?
The Champions League Could Be Dominated by English Teams
Arsenal would have to win the competition this season.
The Premier League is assured of four Champions League spots for the top four finishers, as has been the norm for many years. Arne Slot’s team will undoubtedly be in the hat next season as Liverpool is poised to win the division with just two more victories needed.
With Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Aston Villa all vying for a spot in the top five of the Premier League, Arsenal is now in second place. Because of the coefficient and the way English clubs have performed in Europe this season, the division is expected to receive an additional spot.
With the top five and either Manchester United or Tottenham if they win the Europa League, that comes to six. How, then, was it possible for the tournament to include seven clubs at the beginning of 2025–2026?
Whoever takes Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal’s place in the Premier League’s top five would have an advantage if they were to win the Champions League and fall out of the top five.
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