- Usman Khan
- 1 Hour ago
Champions League: PSG face Barcelona, Bayern, Tottenham
MONACO: Liverpool and Manchester City will both come up against Real Madrid in this season’s Champions League while title-holders PSG — Paris Saint-Germain — were handed a tough list of opponents in Thursday’s draw, including Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Xabi Alonso’s Real will play City at home and take on Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield in what will be two of the standout fixtures of the league phase.
PSG will entertain Bayern and go to Barcelona, while the French club also have home fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will also face Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bayern will play Chelsea and Arsenal among others.
On the other hand, Last season’s runners-up Inter Milan host Liverpool and Arsenal. The Italian side will travel to Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
The veteran star Zlatan Ibrahimovic won the 2025 UEFA President’s Award, which recognises exemplary achievements on and off the pitch.
EARLY START
The Champions League final will kick off three hours earlier at 1800 CET (1600 GMT) starting in 2026, European soccer’s governing body UEFA said on Thursday, in a bid to give fans an improved experience.
It follows the 2025 final in Munich, where PSG beat Inter Milan 5-0, kicked off at 2100 CET, which left fans trudging out of the stadium close to midnight once the trophy celebrations had died down.
UEFA said the earlier kickoff would improve access to public transport after the match, while host cities would benefit economically when fans continue their celebrations outside the stadium.
“The new kickoff time will make it even more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone involved,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement.
“While a 21:00 CET kickoff is well suited for midweek matches, an earlier kickoff on a Saturday for the final means an earlier finish — regardless of extra time or penalties.
“(It) offers fans the opportunity to enjoy the rest of the evening with friends and family, reflecting on the game of the season.”
Football Supporters Europe welcomed the move as a step forward for match-going fans.
“An earlier kick-off makes day trips more feasible, reduces travel stress, and allows fans to enjoy the occasion without worrying about late-night logistics,” its executive director Ronan Evain said.
The 2026 final will be held at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
It’s a developing story. Details to follow
