UEFA Champions League Squad Rules Explained After Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs Leave Out Big Names

The six English clubs competing in Europe’s top tournament this season have named their UEFA Champions League squads for the start of the league phase – and some big names are missing.

England will have more teams in the Champions League than any other nation this season. Tottenham qualified as Europa League winners, while Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle all got in via their Premier League positions, with England earning an extra spot via its place in UEFA’s association club coefficient rankings.

But while participation is high, some players will have to miss out due to UEFA’s strict squad rules.

UEFA Champions League squad rules

All clubs must submit a ‘List A’ of up to 25 players for the league phase, including at least two goalkeepers and a minimum of eight ‘locally trained’ players (no more than four of those eight can be association-trained rather than club-trained).

If a club cannot meet the quota of eight, the List A limit is reduced accordingly. A rolling ‘List B’ can be used for eligible U21 players who have been registered with the club for the required period; it can be updated up to midnight the day before each match.

Clubs that reach the knockouts may register up to three new players by February 5 while staying within the List A limits.

Many big players missing from Champions League squads

There were some tough calls across the six English clubs. At Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus was left out as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury, with 15-year-old Max Dowman included on List A instead.

Chelsea made headlines by excluding Raheem Sterling and new arrival Facundo Buonanotte, despite both being fit.

Liverpool trimmed their squad to 22 players, having already reached the limit of 17 non-homegrown players, with Federico Chiesa the most high-profile omission.

Manchester City left Kalvin Phillips out as he remains sidelined, while Tottenham cut six names, including £30m signing Mathys Tel, along with injured trio James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin.

Newcastle, restricted to a 21-man squad due to homegrown player shortages, omitted captain Jamaal Lascelles and veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Liverpool’s Champions League squad (List A)

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman

Defenders: Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Andy Robertson, Jeremie Frimpong

Midfielders: Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch

Forwards: Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Rio Ngumoha

Manchester City’s Champions League squad (List A)

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Stefan Ortega, James Trafford, Marcus Bettinelli

Defenders: Rayan Ait-Nouri, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones

Midfielders: Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Oscar Bobb, Rayan Cherki, Savinho, Abdukodir Khusanov, Phil Foden, Nico

Forwards: Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush

Tottenham’s Champions League squad (List A)

Goalkeepers: Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin

Defenders: Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence

Midfielders: Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus

Forwards: Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Randal Kolo Muani

Newcastle United’s Champions League squad (List A)

Goalkeepers: Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale

Defenders: Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman

Midfielders: Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock, Jacob Murphy

Forwards: Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade, William Osula

Arsenal’s Champions League squad (List A)

Goalkeepers: David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Tommy Setford

Defenders: William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Piero Hincapie, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori

Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze, Christian Norgaard, Leandro Trossard, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Max Dowman

Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres

Chelsea’s Champions League squad (List A)

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen

Defenders: Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jorell Hato, Reece James

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos

Forwards: Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian