UEFA expanded the Women's Champions League group stage from 16 to 18 teams for 2025-26, creating an altered qualification structure. Chelsea and Arsenal qualified directly by winning the Women's Super League and the Women's Champions League respectively, while Manchester United must enter the league-path qualification after finishing behind them. United begin in round two with a one-off mini-tournament in Stockholm, facing PSV Eindhoven and then the winner of Hammarby versus Metalist Kharkiv. A mini-tournament win leads to a two-legged third-round tie on 11 and 18 September to reach the main league phase; failure drops the club into Women's Europa Cup qualifying.
Manchester United have to navigate an unusual qualification process to reach the main draw of the Women's Champions League. The tournament has a new format after Uefa expanded the group stage of the competition from 16 to 18 teams for 2025-26. Chelsea qualified directly by winning the Women's Super League, while Arsenal qualified by triumphing in the Women's Champions League. Manchester United however have to qualify for the competition after finishing behind Chelsea and Arsenal in the league last season.
The qualification stage is split into two mini tournaments - a 'champions path' and a 'league path'. United are in the league path, and start their qualification process in the second round with a one-off mini tournament in Stockholm, Sweden. The Red Devils face Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in the semi-finals, and will face the winner of Sweden's Hammarby and Ukraine's Metalist Kharkiv in the final three days later.
There are four mini tournaments taking place in Sweden, the Czech Republic, Italy and Austria in the league path of qualification. In Manchester United's group, Stockholm-based side Hammarby were selected as hosts, with games taking place at the 28,000-seater 3Arena. The Swedish side reached the group stage of the competition in 2024-25, finishing third in their group beneath Barcelona and Manchester City.
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