PSG finalizes its Champions League squad, welcoming new talent and adjusting for the knockout phase. Key changes emerge as the playoff push begins.
With a winter transfer window that did little to overhaul its squad, Paris Saint-Germain should submit a list for the remainder of the Champions League, starting from the playoffs, that has ultimately evolved only slightly. One main change is expected: the integration of Dro Fernandez; the rest should concern young players.
After every transfer period, the famous list of players registered for the Champions League by PSG will be unveiled shortly and should truly correspond to the Parisian club's full squad, as has been the case for a few seasons now. UEFA expects 25 players (or fewer) with very specific criteria, and the capital's club will, like most other teams, comply. An important reminder: this list of players will be the one used starting from the competition's playoffs against Monaco for PSG and until the end of the competition.
The Regulations:
All clubs can field 25 players across their two Champions League lists (25 players on their List A, List B being a supplementary list for academy products).
List A must contain:
- A maximum of 25 players.
- At least two goalkeepers.
- At least eight players trained in the country the club represents (France in PSG's case). Of these eight, at least four must be club-trained. If there are fewer than eight players, the list contains fewer than 25 names.
Compared to the list submitted by the Parisian club in September, two obvious changes are expected, versus no less than four last season. The obvious addition will undoubtedly be that of young midfielder Dro Fernandez, who recently arrived from Barcelona and was already in the matchday squad at Strasbourg.
In terms of players leaving the list, there is also only one obvious name, namely that of central defender Noham Kamara, who has been loaned to Lyon. These two moves might well be the only ones. Although definitively transferred by PSG, winger Khalil Ayari is unlikely to appear on this List A, given that he does not train with the first team.
This means PSG's list should remain at 23 names, as there is no obligation to fill the quota of 25. The club can, however, artificially complete it by moving some players from List B to List A, even though this changes absolutely nothing in substance. Now well-established in the first team, Quentin Ndjantou could be confirmed by this symbolic promotion.
PSG's probable list for the 2025/26 Champions League knockout stage:
- Goalkeepers (3): Safonov, Chevalier, Marin.
- Defenders (7): Marquinhos, Zabarnyi, Hernandez, Pacho, Beraldo, Hakimi, Nuno Mendes.
- Midfielders (7): Vitinha, Ruiz, Neves, Lee, Zaire-Emery, Mayulu, Dro Fernandez.
- Forwards (6): Dembele, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia, Barcola, Doue, Mbaye.
The latest List B provided by PSG, on the eve of facing Newcastle, included the following players: Martin James (goalkeeper), David Boly, Quentin Ndjantou, Mathis Jangeal, and Noah Nsoki. If the club wishes, it can place two of these five players in List A since there is room, with Ndjantou being the clear favorite, having even started in the competition.
In terms of the criteria by which players are classified, here is the current state of the Parisian squad:
- Unrestricted players (16): Safonov, Marin, Marquinhos, Zabarnyi, Hernandez, Pacho, Beraldo, Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Ruiz, Neves, Lee, Dro Fernandez, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia.
- Locally-trained players (4): Dembele, Barcola, Doue, Chevalier.
- Club-trained players (3): Zaire-Emery, Mayulu, Mbaye.
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