Champions league 2026/27: See full play-off fixtures, match dates - TheNewsGuru

The final route into the 2026/2027 UEFA Champions League league phase will be decided over the next two weeks, with 14 clubs still chasing the seven places left in the competition.

Seven play-off winners will complete the 36-team league phase, while the clubs that fail to progress will not be eliminated from European competition. Instead, they will move into the UEFA Europa League league phase.

The decisive two-legged ties will begin on August 18 and 19, with the second legs scheduled for August 25 and 26.

Clubs battling for Champions League qualification

The seven play-off matchups are:

Fenerbahçe vs Lyon

Celtic vs LASK

N.E.C. vs Bodø/Glimt

AEK Athens vs Levski Sofia

GNK Dinamo vs Viking

Slovan Bratislava vs Celje

Hapoel Beer-Sheva vs Sabah

Each tie will be settled over two matches, with aggregate results determining which seven clubs advance to the league phase.

Carragher questions Carrick's ability to deliver major trophies

Away from the Champions League qualifying battle, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has come under scrutiny from former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher.

Carragher believes Carrick can make progress with United but has doubts about his ability to take the club all the way to Premier League or Champions League glory.

The former defender made the assessment while appearing on The Overlap Fan Debate, arguing that Carrick does not yet possess the managerial pedigree or qualities he associates with coaches capable of winning the game's biggest trophies.

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"I personally just don't think Michael Carrick's got that stardust as a manager to win a Champions League or a Premier League," Carragher said.

He nevertheless suggested that a productive season under Carrick could leave United in a better position before eventually appointing a manager capable of competing for major honours.

"He could have a good season and put Manchester United in a position to then go and get a Champions League-winning manager," he added.

Carrick faces major test at Manchester United

Carrick will take charge of Manchester United for the new season on a permanent basis following the departure of Ruben Amorim in January.

His immediate task will be to improve the club's fortunes and restore confidence after a difficult period.

While Carragher has already questioned whether Carrick can deliver the biggest trophies, the coming campaign will provide the manager with an opportunity to prove that he can build a team capable of competing at the highest level.

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