Paris Saint-Germain enters the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League campaign as the reigning title holders and one of the favorites to win the tournament.
The march to Budapest, Hungary, the location of the final, begins for PSG with the league phase of the Champions League. Last season, PSG had one of the most challenging draws, and it nearly cost them a place in the knockout stage. This year, Luis Enrique’s squad hopes for a little easier league phase and remains the favorite among the best betting sites.
The league phase draw will take place on August 28 in Monaco, and while all 36 teams haven’t been decided yet, most of the contenders know which pots they will be placed in for the draw. So, what are some of the most interesting teams PSG could play in the league phase of the Champions League?
Let’s start with FC Barcelona. We know these two sides don’t like each other, and there’s quite a bit of history both on and off the pitch. PSG signed Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi from Barcelona, while the La Liga club defeated PSG in one of the most embarrassing collapses in Champions League history. Last season, the two sides looked destined to play in the Champions League final until Barcelona lost to Inter Milan in the semi-final. A matchup against Barcelona would also pit the two top Ballon d’Or contenders against each other, Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé.
Chelsea FC is another interesting team PSG could play in the Champions League. There’s history between the two teams as well, like when Chelsea defeated PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, and a fight broke out after the match that involved Luis Enrique. There is bad blood between the two, and a rematch in the league phase would definitely be a marquee matchup.
A team that many might not consider an interesting opponent for PSG would be Newcastle United. There’s not a lot of European history between the two sides, but when the two met in the group stage of the Champions League in 2023, it was electric. When PSG traveled to St. James’ Park, the home supporters lifted the Magpies to a 4-1 victory. In the return leg, PSG could barely hold onto a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes. With Alexander Isak refusing to play for Newcastle this season, PSG will like their chances to get some revenge on the Premier League side.
