26.08.2026 12:10
Ahead of the 2026-2027 league phase of the Champions League, the pots have largely become clear. Galatasaray are in Pot 3, and if Fenerbahçe eliminate Lyon, the yellow-navy team will also be in the same pot. The two arch-rivals cannot face each other in the league phase, but a historic Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe match-up could occur in the later rounds.
With the Champions League play-off round nearing completion, all eyes have turned to the draw. One of the most anticipated questions among Turkish football fans is whether Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe could face each other in the Champions League.
Galatasaray's place in the league phase is guaranteed. Fenerbahçe, on the other hand, will seek a ticket to the next round in the rematch against Lyon. If the Yellow-Navy Blues eliminate the French side, Türkiye will be represented by two teams in the Champions League.
GALATASARAY AND FENERBAHÇE IN THE SAME POT
It has been confirmed that Galatasaray, who directly qualified for the Champions League, will enter the draw from Pot 3. The team that advances from the Lyon-Fenerbahçe tie will also be placed in Pot 3. Therefore, if Fenerbahçe eliminates Lyon, the two fierce rivals will be in the same pot in the draw.
NO DERBY IN THE LEAGUE PHASE
Due to UEFA's Champions League format, teams from the same country cannot be drawn against each other in the league phase. For this reason, even if Fenerbahçe eliminates Lyon, a Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby will not be played in the league phase. However, if both teams continue their journey in the tournament, the possibility of a matchup in the later knockout rounds may arise.
GALATASARAY-FENERBAHÇE MATCHUP IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
If Fenerbahçe overcomes the Lyon hurdle and both fierce rivals advance in the knockout stages of the tournament, Turkish football could witness a historic matchup. Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe facing each other in the later rounds of the Champions League would bring a Turkish derby to Europe's biggest football organization.
DRAW ON AUGUST 27
The draw for the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2026-2027 season will take place on Thursday, August 27 at 19:00. If Fenerbahçe eliminates Lyon, the Yellow-Navy Blues will represent Türkiye alongside Galatasaray in the draw.
POTS IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
POT 1
- PSG
- Bayern Munich
- Real Madrid
- Liverpool
- Inter
- Manchester City
- Arsenal
- Barcelona
- Atletico Madrid
POT 2
- Borussia Dortmund
- Roma
- Sporting Lisbon
- Aston Villa
- Porto
- Manchester United
- Club Brugge
- Real Betis
- PSV
POT 3
- Feyenoord
- Lille
- Lyon / Fenerbahçe
- Bodo/Glimt
- Napoli
- Leipzig
- Villarreal
- Shakhtar Donetsk
- Galatasaray
POT 4
- Dinamo Zagreb / Viking
- Slavia Prague
- Slovan Bratislava / Celje
- Stuttgart
- AEK Athens / Levski Sofia
- LASK Linz
- Como
- RC Lens
- Sabah FK
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH SCHEDULE
The first week matches of the league phase will be played on September 8-10, 2026. The last week will be completed on January 27, 2027.
- Week 1: September 8-10, 2026
- Week 2: October 13-14, 2026
- Week 3: October 20-21, 2026
- Week 4: November 3-4, 2026
- Week 5: November 24-25, 2026
- Week 6: December 8-9, 2026
- Week 7: January 19-20, 2027
- Week 8: January 27, 2027