Revealed: Who Manchester City will face in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16

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·28 Januari 2026

Revealed: Who Manchester City will face in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16

Manchester City have secured themselves a place in the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League after a 2-0 win against Galatasaray on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola and his players got their tournament off to a strong start until matchday five of the league phase, recording victories over Napoli, Villarreal, and Borussia Dortmund, alongside a dramatic 2-2 draw away at AS Monaco.

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However, it was Bayer Leverkusen that complicated matters as they defeated a heavily rotated Manchester City side by a 0-2 scoreline at the Etihad Stadium, only for Guardiola and his players to respond immediately with a 1-2 away win at Real Madrid.

While that put City in the driving seat for an automatic place in the last-16 of this season’s Champions League, it was a surprise 3-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt that meant those in Sky Blue had it all to do on the final matchday against Galatasaray at home.

The first-half was largely perfect for City, as goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki to convert two chances created by Jeremy Doku ensured of a top-eight finish in the league phase, albeit following some nervy moments as the squad awaited the outcome of Real Madrid’s eventual 4-2 defeat against Benfica.

And after the final matchday in this season’s league phase of Europe’s premier club competition with all still to play for prior to the evening, Manchester City have now found out that they will face either Real Madrid, Inter, Bodo/Glimt, or Benfica in the last-16.

Who do you want to see #ManCity face in the #UCL last-16?
– Rabu, 28 Januari 2026

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will find out their confirmed opponents following the last-16 play-off phase, with a draw to be completed this week, with the draw for the Round of 16, quarter-final, and semi-final taking place on 27 February 2026.

When will the knockout phase play-off games take place?

Ties take place over two legs and the seeded team will, in principle, play the return leg at home. Each club will, in principle, play once on a Tuesday and once on a Wednesday.

First legs: 17/18 February 2026Second legs: 24/25 February 2026

If matches are impacted by stadium or city clashes, these will be resolved in accordance with the Principles set by the UEFA Club Competitions Committee for Stadium and City Clashes. UEFA will confirm the calendar, including match dates and kick-off times, once the draw is made.

The eight clubs that prevail in the knockout phase play-offs progress to the round of 16, the draw for which takes place on Friday 27 February 2026.