European Clubs Confirm Major UEFA Squad Omissions for 2026-27
European clubs have submitted their continental squads for the season, with injuries, UEFA restrictions and late transfer complications leaving a number of established names outside Champions League, Europa League and Conference League plans.
Key European squad omissions
| Player | Club | Reason for omission |
|---|---|---|
| Federico Chiesa | Liverpool | Competition for places after summer arrivals |
| Ferland Mendy | Real Madrid | Long-term injury recovery |
| Folarin Balogun | Monaco | Everton transfer collapsed on deadline day |
| Khephren Thuram | Juventus | Knee problem and UEFA settlement limits |
Liverpool have left Federico Chiesa out of their European selection under Andoni Iraola, with the winger losing out amid increased competition following the arrivals of Daniel Munoz and Bradley Barcola. Wataru Endo has also not been registered, while 21-year-old midfielder James McConnell has been chosen instead.
Real Madrid’s absence list includes Ferland Mendy, who remains sidelined by a lengthy injury. The left-back has won the Champions League twice, but Marc Cucurella will provide cover in his position while Mendy works towards fitness.
Borussia Dortmund captain Emre Can has not been included as he continues rehabilitation from the serious ligament injury he suffered in March. Dortmund midfielder Giannis Konstantelias is another injury-related omission, while Barcelona prospect Roony Bardghji has likewise missed registration after a major knee problem.
Aston Villa were required to make a difficult call on Taylor Harwood-Bellis, their £30m summer acquisition. Unai Emery described the defender’s exclusion as an extremely difficult decision. Seventeen-year-old Brian Madjo is also unavailable for the club’s senior European list because of the competition’s B-list registration criteria.
Juventus have omitted Khephren Thuram from their Europa League group because of his knee issue, with UEFA settlement-agreement constraints also affecting the available places. Como manager Cesc Fabregas has left Maxence Caqueret outside his squad in order to comply with the competition regulations.
Transfer developments have also had consequences. Monaco striker Folarin Balogun will not play continental football after his proposed deadline-day switch to Everton broke down at the last moment. Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, have not registered Victor Boniface following his return from a loan spell with Werder Bremen.
The players left outside the initial lists can still feature in domestic competition, and clubs may have an opportunity to alter their European registrations when the next window opens in the new year.
