The Champions League draw will take place in Monaco on Thursday as Europe’s top clubs prepare to learn their opponents for the league phase.
However, the event comes amid tension between UEFA and FIFA over FIFA’s recent commercial plans.
UEFA strongly opposed a FIFA proposal that could have brought private investors into a new company linked to major tournaments.
FIFA had planned to create a commercial company under its FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative. The company would have managed major events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.
The plan could also have allowed private investors to buy stakes in the company.
UEFA strongly criticised the idea. The European body even threatened to keep its national teams out of FIFA competitions while the proposal remained active.
FIFA later dropped the plan.
UEFA is now likely to withdraw its boycott threat. UEFA officials and European member associations are meeting in Monaco before the Champions League draw.
UEFA had also wanted assurances that FIFA would not bring forward a similar proposal again. A source told AFP that UEFA was now satisfied on that point.
The decision could also help UEFA maintain unity among its members amid questions over FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s future.
European teams have several major FIFA competitions ahead. The Under 20 Women’s World Cup will take place in Poland next month. European qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup is also continuing.
Meanwhile, attention will turn to club football with the Champions League draw.
Paris Saint Germain will enter the new season looking for a third straight Champions League title.
PSG retained the trophy last season after beating Arsenal on penalties in the final in Budapest.
Only Real Madrid have won the European title three seasons in a row during the last 50 years. They achieved the feat between 2016 and 2018.
PSG coach Luis Enrique believes his team can do the same.
“We have won the last two, which means we can win a third. It will be very hard, but that is our ambition,” Enrique said earlier this month.
The Champions League will continue with its 36 team league format this season.
Every club will play eight different opponents during the league phase.
Some of Europe’s biggest leagues will again have a strong presence. Half of the 36 teams come from England, Spain, Italy and Germany.
England will have five clubs in the competition. Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa will represent the Premier League.
Spain will also have five teams. Real Betis are among them as they return to the Champions League after a 20 year absence.
Italian club Como will make their Champions League debut. Former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas is their coach.
Azerbaijan’s Sabah will also play in the competition for the first time. They started in the first qualifying round and won four ties to reach the league phase.
Austria’s LASK are another newcomer. They reached this stage after completing a comeback against Celtic in the playoffs.
The first matches of the league phase will take place from September 8 to September 10.
The league phase will finish in late January.
Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium will host the Champions League final on June 5, 2027.
