How Champions League could see SEVEN English teams qualify next season and as many as 11 play in Europe
Who has the best chance of reaching the Champions League next season? Why could Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa winning European trophies mean there are 11 teams in Europe in 2026/27?
Wednesday 8 April 2026 08:28, UK
It's been a tough time for English teams in the Champions League with four of the Premier League's six representatives dumped out in the last 16 - though England is now guaranteed at least five spots in next season's competition.
Further hope for next season still remains, too - with as many as SEVEN still able to reach the 2026/27 competition.
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How could the Premier League have seven teams in the Champions League?
Glad you asked. There is a specific but very possible outcome by which England could have seven teams in next season's tournament - almost a fifth of the overall contingent in the league phase.
It would require Liverpool to win the Champions League this season while also finishing in the top five in the Premier League. Because of their qualification as holders the free spot given to their league position would pass down to the team in sixth, in theory.
If Aston Villa occupy that sixth position and win the Europa League - which they are favourites to do, according to Opta - they too would automatically qualify for the Champions League. Leaving the team in seventh, currently Brentford, to sweep up and reach Europe's premier competition as one of a record-breaking seven representatives.
And another four in Europe overall - so 11 in total?!
Yep, more than half of the Premier League could be playing in Europe next season if everything falls into place.
Should the Premier League earn those seven Champions League spots, that still leaves two Europa League qualifying places and a single Conference League space up for grabs, dropping all the way down to 10th in the table.
Should Crystal Palace win this season's Conference League - which again, they are favourites to do - that will earn them another Europa League place. If they were to do that and finish outside the top 10, that would make 11 English teams in Europe next season.
Who is in the mix to qualify for the Champions League?
Assuming England earn five Champions League places through league position again, there are eight teams with at least a five per cent chance of qualifying, though that will of course increase in the event the Premier League ends up with more than five places.
Though they are given just a fractional chance of qualifying, even Newcastle down in 12th sit only seven points off the all-important fifth spot with as many games to go.
A lot will come down to the run-in. Looking specifically at those teams currently in the top five and the two closest to them, Chelsea and Brentford, here's how their final fixtures are looking...
