Overview

• UEFA completed the league‑phase draw in Monaco, assigning eight opponents to each of the 36 clubs under the second season of the expanded format.
• High‑profile pairings include Barcelona vs PSG and Real Madrid vs Manchester City, with Madrid also set to face Liverpool and Juventus.
• Travel logistics stand out as Kairat Almaty’s inclusion creates one of the longest trips in the competition, with Western European teams facing journeys to Kazakhstan.
• The format keeps eight matchdays with the top eight advancing directly, places 9–24 entering two‑leg playoffs, and higher‑placed teams now guaranteed the second leg at home in knockouts.
• Inter Miami beat Orlando City 3–1 with a Lionel Messi double to reach Sunday’s Leagues Cup final against the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field, available on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, while some media report—but UEFA has not confirmed—a shift of next season’s Champions League final kickoff to 18:00 CET.