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FULL LIST: 36 Teams Battle For 2024/25 UCL Season With New Format

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The UEFA Champions League draw for the 2024/25 season concluded on Thursday evening, unveiling the matchups for Europe’s top football clubs.

With the draw now set, all eyes turn to the grand finale at Munich’s iconic Fußball Arena München on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

The much-anticipated league phase draw took place in Monaco on Thursday, August 29.

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In March 2024, The PUNCH provided an explainer on the new Champions League format.

READ ALSO: FULL LIST: UEFA Champions League Play-off Draw Unveiled

A star-studded cast of Champions League legends, including Gianluigi Buffon and Zlatan Ibrahimović, welcome the beginning of a new era for Europe’s premier club competition.

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New UCL format explained

In the upcoming format, 36 teams will compete instead of the usual 32, playing in a single league with four pots, eight in each. The top two in each gets automatic qualification.

Each team will face eight opponents, with 4 matches at home and 4 away, but they won’t play the same team twice.

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READ ALSO: New Champions League Format Explained

After the league phase, the top 8 teams will automatically advance to the round of 16.

The bottom 8 teams will be eliminated, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a playoff round.

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This playoff will determine the remaining 8 spots in the knockout phase. The 16 teams in the knockout stage will compete, with 8 advancing to the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals and finals.

Here is the full 2024/25 UCL draw in image breakdown:

Ronaldo, Buffon, and UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti conducted the draw.

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The time for the fixtures will be announced Saturday.

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JUST IN: Full Draw For 2026 World Cup Group Stages Confirmed

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The draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup has been conducted.

It took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in charge.

There will be 48 teams at next year’s tournament, to be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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All the participating countries were grouped into 12 groups of four.

Here is the full draw:

READ ALSO:Trump Unveils Fast-track Visas For World Cup Ticket Holders

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Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Winner Play-off D
Group B: Canada, Winner Play-off A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Winner Play-off C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner Play-off B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Winner Play-off 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Winner Play-off 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

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EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

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Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed Chelsea failed to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, because of an early red card to Moises Caicedo.

The two London rivals played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute following a VAR check.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Why Arsenal Could Win The Title This Season – Guardiola

But it was Chelsea who took the lead after the break, thanks to Trevor Chalobah’s header.

But the Gunners equalized through Mikel Merino.

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So far this season, Chelsea have received seven red cards in 20 games across all competitions this season.

READ ALSO:EPL: Alan Smith Names Only Two Clubs To Compete For Title

That’s four red cards this season; it’s not good enough. I’ve spoken about it; the manager needs to talk with the players, because it’s costing us games as well,” Mikel Obi said on his podcast.

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“If you look at that game, if we finished with eleven men, I think we could’ve won. Maybe not easily, but comfortably, we could’ve secured a win.”

 

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EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON

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Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has revealed that Mohamed Salah was “not happy” to be dropped for their 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.

Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium for the Premier League fixture.

Slot took the bold decision, as he looked to arrest a poor run of form, that saw the Reds lose nine of 12 matches.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Berbatov Names Team That Can ‘Surprise’ Arsenal In Title Race

Salah was not summoned from the bench for the entire 90 minutes, as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed victory.

It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said.

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“I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.”

READ ALSO:EPL: Man Utd Suffer Fresh Injury Blow Ahead Of Everton Clash

Salah could yet return to the starting line-up as Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

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The 33-year-old will remain available for the next four matches, before he leaves to join Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations.

“It’s 15 December,” Slot confirmed.

But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”

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