who will real madrid face in champions league

Real Madrid has dropped into the Champions League knockout playoffs after finishing ninth in the league phase, following their 4-2 loss to Benfica on January 28, 2026.

Opponent Draw Details

The playoff draw occurs tomorrow, Friday, January 30, 2026 , at 11:00 a.m. GMT in Nyon, Switzerland (live on RealMadrid TV).

Real Madrid will face either Bodø/Glimt or Benfica —the teams finishing 23rd or 24th.

No final pairing is confirmed yet, as the draw decides it.

Match Schedule

• First leg : Away on February 17 or 18, 2026.

• Second leg : Home at the Bernabéu on February 24 or 25, 2026.

Winners advance to the Round of 16 against Manchester City or Sporting CP.

Why This Happened

Real Madrid needed a win over Benfica to secure a top-8 spot but conceded a 98th-minute goal from Benfica's goalkeeper, slipping out on goal difference.

Bodø/Glimt upset Manchester City at home this season, while Benfica just stunned Madrid—both are tricky draws despite Real's favoritism.

Potential Paths Ahead

Advancing means facing Man City or Sporting CP in the last 16, then possibly Bayern Munich or Arsenal in quarters.

Real Madrid's depth under coach Álvaro Arbeloa makes progression likely, but these extra games strain their packed La Liga schedule (e.g., Osasuna clash between legs).

TL;DR : Real Madrid awaits the Jan 30 draw vs Bodø/Glimt or Benfica in playoffs (Feb 17/24-25); win sends them to City/Sporting.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.