The 2025-26 Champions League kicks off this week, promising to be one of the season’s most thrilling events as all 36 teams compete simultaneously on Wednesday. Arsenal and Bayern Munich have already secured spots in the top eight, while the rest are vying for advantageous positions to qualify for the upcoming play-offs. Unfortunately, teams like Eintracht Frankfurt, Villarreal, Slavia Prague, and Kairat Almaty have already been knocked out. Here’s a look at the weekly power rankings.
1. Arsenal (–)
Arsenal continues to hold the title of Europe’s best team; however, Mikel Arteta’s squad is showing signs of weakness, having lost 3-2 to Manchester United last weekend after a key victory against Inter at San Siro. While there’s no immediate cause for alarm, they must become more opportunistic to secure their first Premier League title in over 20 years.
2. Bayern Munich (–)
I was surprised by Bayern’s first loss of the Bundesliga season to Augsburg last weekend. Vincent Kompany’s team remains a formidable force across Europe, though they’re currently eight points behind Borussia Dortmund and have already advanced to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
3. PSG (–)
Ligue 1 has a new leader, and PSG is finally at the top of the table after steady improvement. They will face Newcastle on Wednesday, which will determine if they bypass play-offs and head straight to the knockout stages.
4. Barcelona (–)
Lamine Yamal’s remarkable goal against Real Oviedo highlighted why he stands out among Europe’s elite players, a key reason Barcelona remains a top contender this season. They still lead La Liga but need a win against FC Copenhagen in their last league match to secure a spot in the top eight.
5. Manchester City (–)
What’s happening with Manchester City? They suffered a loss to Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League but rebounded with a victory against Wolverhampton. Pep Guardiola’s future remains uncertain amidst these struggles.
6. Real Madrid (+1)
Alvaro Arbeloa has gotten off to a fantastic start as head coach, winning his first three matches, including victories over Levante, Villarreal, and AS Monaco. It’s too early to determine how their season will pan out, but the initial signs are promising.
7. Inter (-1)
Inter is currently leading Serie A, having won their first four league matches but faltering against top-tier teams, losing fixtures to Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, and Arsenal. Their upcoming away game against Borussia Dortmund could be pivotal for their European aspirations.
8. Atletico Madrid (–)
Once again, Atletico appears to be struggling yet remains competitive in top tournaments. Diego Simeone’s squad currently sits third in La Liga and is working to avoid entering the play-offs.
9. Chelsea (+1)
With new manager Liam Rosenior at the helm, Chelsea’s morale has notably improved. Wednesday’s clash against Napoli could be crucial for their European campaign.
10. Atalanta (-1)
Atalanta has seen a dramatic turnaround under Raffaele Palladino, putting them back in the hunt for a European spot in Serie A and a top-eight finish in the Champions League.
11. Liverpool (–)
Liverpool’s inconsistency has been baffling. After a 3-0 win against Olympique de Marseille, they suffered a 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, extending their winless streak to five Premier League matches.
12. Newcastle (+1)
Newcastle has made strides in their performance, sitting comfortably in the top eight and facing a crucial match against PSG on Wednesday. Eddie Howe is expected to attract interest from other clubs this summer.
13. Olympique de Marseille (-1)
Despite a tough 3-0 loss to Liverpool last week, Marseille bounced back with a 3-1 win over Lens, boosting their confidence in Ligue 1.
14. Borussia Dortmund (–)
As the Bundesliga wraps up, Borussia Dortmund’s focus shifts to their European tasks. They will face Inter, providing a chance to reaffirm their status as a top club in Europe.
15. Juventus (+1)
Juventus has shown significant progress under Luciano Spalletti, highlighted by their impressive 3-0 win over Napoli. While there’s still a long way to go, their recent form indicates improvement.
16. Galatasaray (+1)
With Viktor Osimhen returning post-AFCON, Galatasaray hopes to build on their recent performances.
17. Sporting CP (+3)
Currently positioned 10th in their league, Sporting CP risks missing out on the play-offs unless they solidly finish in the top eight next month. Their season has been turbulent, especially with FC Porto in incredible form.
18. Bayer Leverkusen (–)
After the upheaval following Xabi Alonso’s departure, Bayer Leverkusen has experienced a mix of results this year.
19. Napoli (-4)
Napoli faces a crisis with a string of injuries, and their recent 3-0 loss to Juventus puts them in jeopardy of league elimination without a win against Chelsea.
20. PSV (-1)
PSV has had a strong season with 17 wins and only one defeat, but they are eager to secure a spot among the Champions League’s top 24.
21. Tottenham (+2)
Tottenham’s season has been tough to evaluate; they sit 5th in Europe but face disappointment in the Premier League.
22. AS Monaco (–)
A heavy 6-1 loss to Real Madrid underlined that this might not be AS Monaco’s year.
23. Kalabagh (+3)
Kalabagh still has a glimmer of hope for qualification despite facing Liverpool in a crucial match, having recently beat Eintracht Frankfurt.
24. Benfica (-1)
Benfica’s fate hangs in the balance, with their chances of advancing dependent on whether they can defeat Real Madrid in their final league match.
25. Athletic Club (+4)
After a surprising win against Atalanta, Athletic Club has rekindled their hopes of advancing in the tournament.
26. Club Brugge (–)
Club Brugge is on the rise and trails Union SG in the league, keeping their title and Champions League ambitions alive.
27. Olympiakos (+6)
A surprising victory over Bayer Leverkusen reignited Olympiakos’s chances, setting them up for a crucial test against Ajax.
28. Copenhagen (-1)
Copenhagen put up a fight against Napoli but face a daunting challenge against Barcelona as they attempt to qualify.
29. Bodo/Glimt (+5)
Bodo/Glimt’s upset win over Manchester City was unexpected, especially given City’s potential in the tournament.
30. Pathos (+1)
Their chances of advancing are slim, yet they hold a faint hope for success.
31. Union Saint-Giroise (-3)
Struggling with just one win in their last five matches, Union Saint-Giroise finds themselves far from play-off contention.
32. Ajax (+3)
Though late to return to form, Ajax has shown potential, needing a win against Olympiakos to stay in contention.
33. Eintracht Frankfurt (-6)
Eintracht Frankfurt has been eliminated as anticipated.
34. Villarreal (-4)
Villarreal may have been too distracted with league matches, leading to their elimination.
35. Slavia Prague (-3)
With three draws and no victories in seven matches, Slavia Prague has not performed at a Champions League level.
36. Kairat (–)
Disappointingly, Kairat struggled to secure even a single draw in their seven games.
Fan Take: This week’s matches can significantly influence the Champions League’s landscape as teams vie for elusive knockout stage spots. Drama unfolds not just on the pitch but also in managerial positions, reshaping the future of clubs and increasing anticipation among soccer fans worldwide.
