Five Serie A clubs remain mathematically able to qualify for the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League as the season enters its final stages [1].
The race for these berths represents a significant financial and prestige windfall for the clubs involved. With only three spots remaining [1], the competition creates a high-stakes environment for the final matches of the 2025/26 campaign [1].
The clubs still in contention include Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan, AS Roma, and Como [1]. While some reports suggest a smaller field of eligible teams, the broader list of five contenders remains the primary focus as the league enters the penultimate round [1].
"The race for the Champions League places has become the story of the season," Gabriele Gravina said [1].
The battle features a mix of traditional powerhouses and unexpected challengers. Marco Rossi said that the resurgence of Napoli kept the club in contention for Europe, and said the same applied to Juventus and Roma [2].
Como has emerged as a surprise element in the standings. Luca Bianchi said the unexpected surge of Como shows the league is more open than anyone imagined [2].
As the penultimate round of the 2025/26 season concludes [1], the points gap between these five teams remains narrow enough to allow for multiple outcomes in the final matches due this month [1].
“"The race for the Champions League places has become the story of the season."”
The presence of five teams fighting for three spots in the penultimate round indicates an unusually tight distribution of points at the top of the table. This volatility suggests that the 2025/26 season has lacked a dominant gap between the top tier and the chasing pack, increasing the likelihood that a single match result could shift the qualification hierarchy.
