Could seven Premier League clubs qualify for the Champions League?

As many as seven different English clubs could qualify for the league phase of next season's Champions League.

The top four clubs in this season's Premier League are already guaranteed to earn a spot in the 2026-27 competition, but England is on course to earn an additional spot.

That is because the best-performing two nations in each season's European club competitions are awarded an extra place in the following season's Champions League.

As things stand, England is comfortably the best-performing nation ahead of Germany, Portugal, Spain and Italy, and nigh-on guaranteed an additional place.

This is where it gets hypothetical.

With six clubs still in this season's tournament, there is a strong chance that an English club could go on to lift the trophy.

Should that happen, the winner of the Champions League would guarantee themselves a spot again next campaign.

If the winner has already qualified for next season's Champions League in their domestic league, that country will not get an extra spot.