The European Football Association announced an important series of modifications in the Champions League and the rest of the continental championships, in preparation for the launch of the 2025-2026 season, where the most prominent changes are concentrated in the stages of exclusionary roles, and the distribution of the franchise of playing the return matches on the ground of some teams.
Additional privileges for the best 4 teams
According to the new decision, the owners of the first four places in the Champions League league will benefit from the feature of hosting the second leg in the round of 16, as well as in the quarter -finals, a feature that was previously limited to the round of 16 only.
It was also decided that the two leaders will play the league stage (the first and second places), the second leg in the semi -finals also on their land, in the event of their qualification, which enhances the chances of the strongest teams on paper in maintaining their superiority inside the field.
An alternative concession for those who qualified for adults
The most controversial amendment came in a new item that gives the teams that exclude one of the first eight centers in the round of 16, the privileges that were dedicated to this team throughout the remainder of the tournament, most notably the return match at its stadium, whatever its original classification.
In a clearer sense, if a team of the lower classification topple a leader, it automatically acquires the position of the maximum team in the following rounds. This privilege continues to move to those who succeed in excluding the beneficiary team, if he leaves.
Examples from the last version
The Spanish newspaper “Marca” has set an illustrative example, indicating the exclusion of Liverpool, the leaders of the league, by Paris Saint -Germain, who qualified from the qualifying supplement. According to the new system, Paris would play the second leg in the quarter and a half at its home, as compensation for excluding the first class.
The inclusion of the amendments for the women’s league
The changes were not limited to men’s competitions only, but also included the Ladies Champions League, in a move aimed at enhancing competitive parity and granting phased privileges to the best performance or great surprises.
Amendments that take into account balance and surprises
The modifications reflect the “UEFA” trend towards maintaining the privileges of superior teams during the league stage, and at the same time stimulating the least -rated teams that make surprises, by giving them a field advantage in the following roles.
