Barcelona will discover who they face in the league phase of the 2026-27 Champions League when the draw is made in Monaco on Thursday, August 27. As Pot 1 members, plus the highest-ranking sides, they cannot meet La Liga rivals Real Madrid and Atletico (country protection) — but a few more names they'd rather avoid.

After a busy summer for many players, Barcelona would prefer to avoid seeing far, play the bigger names until 2027 when the business end rolls out. The prospect of facing Luis Aski's PSG is enticing — the chance to confront Ferran Torres — but Barcelona would probably rather avoid defending champions too early. Last season's beaten finalists Arsenal and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich may be best saved for later.

Manchester City and Liverpool are both under new management, with Enza Mares Hisi and Andoni Iraola installed; if there were a good time to face either Premier League giants, it may be now. Barcelona will also fancy a rematch with Inter, gaining revenge for a semi-final defeat at their hands in 2024-25.

Reunion with Marcus Rashford?

Pot 2 contains more English sides, and Barcelona could relish a glamour tie with Manchester United and a swift reunion with Marcus Rashford. United are back in the competition after Michael Carrick's third-placed revival, but a quietish window and opening-day defeat to Hull City fails to inspire confidence.

Europa League winners Aston Villa may also hold few fears, having this summer sold Morgan Rogers, Ezru Konsa and Youri Tielemans, with Oliver Watkins and Emi Martinez possibly heading out too.

The wheels might give Barcelona nightmares is Marseille. A trip to Italy brings back the infamous 2018 collapse when Ernesto Valverde's team threw away a 3-0 lead, and went crashing out.

Potential dark horses

Former Barcelona legend Cesc Fabregas has led Serie A's Como into the competition for the first time in their history, and they are dreaming of making a mark. Osi Osimhen's Galatasaray — a team that beat Liverpool home and away last season — know how tough Istanbul is. A trip to the North Pole for Bodo/Glimt, or to Azerbaijan to face Sabah, is perhaps one to avoid. Feyenoord, Lille, Obstruction, Stuttgart and Slavia Prag may hold fewer fears.

Barcelona are in Pot 1 for a reason — but with the new format guaranteeing at least a few tasty English ties either way, they know Thursday could still deliver knockout equal.