Barcelona and Bayern Munich lead early 2026-27 Champions League power rankings
Barcelona and Bayern Munich are ranked first and second for the upcoming European campaign, while significant managerial shifts at Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Napoli reshape the competitive landscape.
CBS Sports has released its preliminary power rankings for the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League season, setting the stage for the next European campaign. The assessment follows Paris Saint-Germain’s penalty-shootout victory over Arsenal in the 2026 final, a result that secured the French club’s second consecutive title. With 29 clubs already confirmed for the competition, the report evaluates which teams are best positioned to challenge for the trophy in the coming year.
Barcelona is ranked at the top of the list, having secured back-to-back La Liga titles under Hansi Flick. The publication notes that after two previous European disappointments, the Spanish club is now viewed as the team best placed to claim the Champions League. Bayern Munich follows in second place, having reached the semi-finals in a highly rated tie against the eventual winners. The report highlights that Vincent Kompany’s side possesses the necessary qualities to mount a serious challenge next season.
Paris Saint-Germain is ranked third, having achieved a rare back-to-back triumph. The analysis suggests that winning a third consecutive title under Luis Enrique would elevate the club to the status of Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid side, which won three straight titles between 2016 and 2018. Arsenal, the runners-up, are placed fourth, with the report acknowledging the difficulty of replicating their current season’s success domestically and in Europe, despite their talented roster.
The rankings also detail significant managerial changes across Europe that will influence the upcoming season. Jose Mourinho is highlighted as a potential returnee to Real Madrid, a move that would mark a new era for the Spanish giants. At Liverpool, the club has dismissed Arne Slot and is reportedly considering Andoni Iraola as the frontrunner for the vacant head coach position. Meanwhile, Manchester City prepares for a post-Pep Guardiola era, with Enzo Maresca widely considered as the expected appointment to lead the English side.
Other notable shifts include Antonio Conte’s departure from Napoli, with Massimiliano Allegri appointed as his successor. The report notes this is the second time Allegri has replaced Conte, having done so at Juventus in 2014. In Italy, Inter Milan aims to deepen their European run after a playoff exit, while Atletico Madrid faces uncertainty regarding transfer business and Julian Alvarez’s future. The list also includes emerging contenders such as Aston Villa, the 2026 Europa League winners, and Porto, who dominated the Portuguese league under Francesco Farioli.
The full ranking places Inter Milan fifth, Manchester City sixth, and Atletico Madrid seventh. Borussia Dortmund is ranked eighth, while Manchester United sits at 11th, with the report suggesting they are not yet at the level of the primary candidates. The lower tiers of the list include Sporting CP, Galatasaray, RB Leipzig, and Lens, alongside surprise entries such as Como, who reached the top flight of European competition for the first time under Cesc Fabregas.
The publication concludes with a look at teams such as PSV, Real Betis, and Stuttgart, noting the challenges they face in improving their European performances. The rankings serve as an early indicator of the competitive balance heading into the 2026-27 season, with managerial stability and transfer activity expected to play crucial roles in determining the final hierarchy.
