UEFA confirm late Champions League rule change a week before Man City campaign begins

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The Champions League gets underway next week and UEFA have made a late change to the competition's squad rules which could impact Manchester City and other clubs

Pep Guardiola may have been taken surprise by the sudden rule change(Image: Mateo Villalba, Getty Images)

UEFA has implemented a last-minute alteration to European competition squad regulations just days before Manchester City start their Champions League campaign.

Pep Guardiola's side's continental quest begins with a home clash against Napoli on September 18, where they will reunite with Kevin De Bruyne. This year's competition will feature six Premier League sides.

As well as City's clash against Antonio Conte's side, Chelsea face Bayern Munich, Liverpool host Atletico Madrid and Newcastle welcome Barcelona to St James' Park. Arsenal and Tottenham face Athletic Club and Villarreal respectively.

However, England's representatives in the Champions League, the Europa League and Conference League will now be permitted to modify their registered squads during the group stage.

UEFA announced 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 six represents the concluding fixture in the initial Conference League group phase, whilst the Champions League and Europa League will contest Matchday seven and eight of their respective group stages in the new year. The definition of a 'long-term injury or illness' remains unclear.

UEFA's decision will boost many clubs(Image: Getty Images)

One club who could benefit from the change is Chelsea, who could replace Liam Delap in their Champions League squad. The ex-City academy star was ruled out until November with a hamstring injury he suffered during the west Londoners' 2-0 home victory over Fulham.

City duo Rico Lewis and Nico O'Reilly are both in City's B-list. Under UEFA rules, List B allows for players who are under the age of 21 and have been registered with the club for at least two consecutive years since their 15th birthday.

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

Players like Rico Lewis could benefit from the rule change(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media, Getty Images)

City face Manchester United on Sunday in the first Manchester derby of the campaign, before playing host to Napoli. De Bruyne scored against Sassuolo on his Serie A debut before starting in his side's 1-0 victory over Cagliari.

The Belgian midfielder in particular will be looking to prove he is still playing at the top level, after leaving at the end of last season.. Speaking about the situation back in April, the Belgian said: "I have not had any offer the whole year, they [City] just took a decision.

"Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it. Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I'm showing, but I understand clubs have to make decisions."