UEFA rule blocks Liverpool v Real Madrid and Inter v Arsenal in Champions League league phase

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·26 August 2026

UEFA rule blocks Liverpool v Real Madrid and Inter v Arsenal in Champions League league phase

Liverpool v Real Madrid and Inter Milan v Arsenal cannot be drawn in this season's Champions League league phase, with the draw due on Thursday.

According to Le Progres, UEFA's revamped format, introduced three years ago, includes a condition preventing one club from hosting the same opponent three seasons in a row.

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Liverpool have already hosted Real Madrid twice, and Inter Milan have done the same against Arsenal.

The reverse fixtures remain possible, so Real Madrid and Arsenal could welcome those opponents at home.

UEFA's interclub competitions committee also set an extra condition for the 2026/27 draw that the same pairing cannot be staged with the same home team for three consecutive seasons.

Source: Le Progres

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”