The UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout stage draw has set European football ablaze, promising potential heavyweight clashes and a fierce rivalry that could decide the path to the final.
Barcelona and Chelsea, who dominated the league stage and secured direct qualification to the quarterfinals, now await their opponents in the knockout stages, and the matches promise to be promising.
What’s being talked about most? A potential quarterfinal in the Women’s El Clásico, where Barcelona will likely face Real Madrid, but Los Blancos must first defeat Paris FC in a tough playoff.
Meanwhile, Chelsea could find themselves in a crucial match against defending champions Arsenal, which could mean a fierce London derby if both teams advance.
Qualifying Paths Confirmed Loading Competition…
Eight teams are heading to the play-offs, battling for a spot in the quarter-finals:
Knockout Play-offs
Real Madrid vs. Paris FC
Manchester United vs. Atletico Madrid
Juventus vs. Wolfsburg
Arsenal vs. OH Leuven
The winners of each match will advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face fierce battles:
Quarter-finals (potential matches):
Real Madrid/Paris FC vs. Barcelona
Manchester United/Atletico Madrid vs. Bayern Munich
Juventus/Wolfsburg vs. Lyon
Arsenal/OH Leuven vs. Chelsea
The draw paves the way for the next Dream matches later in the tournament, including Barcelona vs. Bayern and Lyon vs. Chelsea in the semi-finals.
Dates to follow
Play-offs: February 11–19, 2026
Quarter-finals: March 24–April 2, 2026
Competitions are changing the face of women’s football
This year’s draw highlights the growth of club rivalries once seen only in men’s football, from El Clásico to the North London and London derbies.
With powerhouse clubs like Barca, Chelsea, Bayern, Lyon, and Arsenal in the mix, the 2026 knockout stage promises to be one of the most competitive and dramatic seasons in the history of the Women’s Champions League.
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