MONACO (AP) — Now that the 36 teams contesting the Champions League are set, the draw for the most prized title in European club soccer will be made Thursday in Monaco.
Each team will face eight opponents in the opening league phase which runs from September through January.
The list of teams is more dominated than ever by the five wealthiest leagues — England, Italy, Spain, Germany and France. But the list is also one of the most diverse with entries from Cyprus and Kazakhstan among teams new to this league stage of the multi-billion dollar competition.
Here’s a look at the Champions League this season by the numbers:
4Clubs on debut in the main stage of the Champions League: Bodo/Glimt from Norway, Kairat Almaty from Kazakhstan, Pafos from Cyprus, Union Saint-Gilloise from Belgium.