UEFA confirm Champions League rule change impacting Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham

UEFA has implemented a last-minute alteration to European competition squad regulations just days before the Champions League commences, with neglected Premier League stars poised to reap the rewards.

The continent's flagship tournament gets underway next week featuring a record-breaking six English sides with their improved co-efficient allowing five teams to qualify through their domestic finish. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle United have also been joined by Europa League winners Tottenham.

The Gunners will be looking to go one better than last season by reaching the final and they kick off their campaign in Spain against Athletic Bilbao.

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World champions Chelsea take on Harry Kane's Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena while Spurs welcome Villarreal to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

All of these sides - alongside fellow Champions League representatives Man City, Liverpool and Newcastle, Europa League participants Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, and Conference League entrants Crystal Palace - will now be permitted to alter their registered squads throughout the group stage.

UEFA announced in a statement on Thursday: "The Executive Committee approved an amendment to the 2025/26 UEFA men's club competitions' regulations to admit the temporary replacement of a maximum of one outfield player with long-term injury or illness during the league phase until matchday 6 included."

"The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure."

Matchday 6 represents the concluding matchday in the initial Conference League league phase, whilst the Champions League and Europa League contest Matchday 7 and 8 of their league phases in the new year.

The specifics of what constitutes a 'long-term injury or illness' remain unclear, but this could potentially allow Chelsea to replace Liam Delap in their Champions League squad following his hamstring injury. New signing Facundo Buononotte may step into the void after expressing disappointment at being left out.

Other high-profile players who failed to make their respective Champions League squads include Liverpool's Federico Chiesa, Tottenham's Mathys Tel and Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus, who is currently nursing an injury.

UEFA has also revealed that Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano stadium will be the venue for the 2027 Champions League final. The last time it hosted the event was in 2019 when Liverpool triumphed over Tottenham 2-0 in an all-Premier League showdown.

Meanwhile, the Women's Champions League final in the same year will take place at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland.