You wouldn't think it based on how the summer transfer window has panned out, but Tottenham Hotspur are back in the big time this season.
Champions League nights beckon in N17, and supporters are hoping for a more fruitful experience compared to last time out, when we were subject to the perpetuation of Antonio Conte's continental hoodoo in 2022/23.
Things are a little different this time around, although we got to grips with the new 'Swiss Model' format during our successful Europa League campaign last year.
As a result, the Champions League 'league phase' draw doesn't quite boast the intrigue of previous group stage draws, but we'll nonetheless learn our eight opponents on Thursday evening.
Which 2025/26 Champions League pot are Tottenham in?
As it stands, Tottenham are projected to be in Pot 3 for Thursday's draw, but, ultimately, it doesn't really matter which of the four pots we're in.
We're going to be drawn against two teams from each of the pots, but cannot face any Premier League sides. We can also take on a maximum of two teams from the same member association. If we draw Barcelona from Pot 1 and Villarreal from Pot 2, for example, we can't be drawn against Athletic Club from Pot 4.
Tottenham's potential 2025/26 Champions League league phase opponents
Team | Nation | Pot |
|---|---|---|
PSG | France | 1 |
Real Madrid | Spain | 1 |
Bayern Munich | Germany | 1 |
Inter | Italy | 1 |
Borussia Dortmund | Germany | 1 |
Barcelona | Spain | 1 |
Bayer Leverkusen | Germany | 2 |
Atalanta | Italy | 2 |
Villarreal | Spain | 2 |
Juventus | Italy | 2 |
Atletico Madrid | Spain | 2 |
Eintracht Frankfurt | Germany | 2 |
PSV Eindhoven | Netherlands | 3 |
Ajax | Netherlands | 3 |
Napoli | Italy | 3 |
Sporting CP | Portugal | 3 |
Olympiacos | Greece | 3 |
Slavia Prague | Czechia | 3 |
Bodo/Glimt | Norway | 3 |
Marseille | France | 3 |
Monaco | France | 4 |
Galatasaray | Türkiye | 4 |
Union Saint-Gilloise | Belgium | 4 |
Athletic Club | Spain | 4 |
Pafos | Cyprus | 4 |
Kairat | Kazakhstan | 4 |
Ferencvaros/Qarabag | Hungary/Azerbaijan | 4 |
Basel/Copenhagen | Switzerland/Denmark | 4 |
Fenerbahce/Benfica | Türkiye/Portugal | TBC |
Rangers/Club Brugge | Scotland/Belgium | TBC |
There are six potential opponents from a Pot 1 laden with Europe's elite. We, of course, cannot be paired with Liverpool, Manchester City, or Chelsea, but will face two of the following teams: PSG, Inter, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, or Borussia Dortmund.
We encountered a rusty PSG in the UEFA Super Cup before the season got underway, and I'm sure many of us are after a couple of high-profile fixtures. Welcoming Borussia Dortmund to N17 would be a bit underwhelming.
Arsenal are the standout Pot 2 side, but we cannot meet until the knockout stages (just imagine). This pot is pretty tricky to gauge because a couple of the teams, like Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta, have undergone major surgery this summer. Spanish duo Atletico Madrid and Villarreal are also in there, as are Italian giants Juventus.
The supposed fodder we beat on our way to Europa League glory last season have also qualified for the premier club competition this time around. Eintracht Frankfurt finished a lofty third in the Bundesliga, while Bodo/Glimt made it via the play-offs.
The Norwegians are in Pot 3 alongside Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Conte's Napoli, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague and Marseille.
There are a few teams still to book their place in the league phase, so Pot 4 isn't complete just yet. As it stands, Athletic Club, Galatasaray (another Europa League opponent from last term), Union Saint-Gilloise, Monaco, as well as newbies Pafos and Kairat are potential opponents.
Toughest 2025/26 Champions League draw for Tottenham
Spurs are bound to face one of the big boys in the league phase. PSG and Barcelona, for my money, are the best two teams in the world. However, Real Madrid have the pedigree, while Bayern Munich thumped us in pre-season.
I'd love for us to face one of the big boy elites in north London.
Atletico Madrid are undoubtedly the toughest out from Pot 2, and fellow Spaniards Villarreal have started the season impressively. Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta require time to adjust to alternate ideas in the dugout, even if Ivan Juric is a Gian Piero Gasperini disciple. Juventus also have the heritage, but I'm really not sure how good they'll be under Igor Tudor this term.
Conte may have a wretched Champions League record, but his Napoli team are the ones to avoid from Pot 3. There's otherwise no one else that really scares me. PSV have emerged as regulars, while Marseille have plenty of star power.
A return to Galatasaray is the most daunting potential fixture among our potential Pot 4 opponents, but Athletic Club are the strongest team.
So, in summary, this is what I believe our toughest possible draw would look like (bearing in mind the restrictions): PSG (H), Bayern Munich (A), Atletico Madrid (H), Juventus (A), Napoli (H), Marseille (A), Galatasaray (A), Athletic Club (H).