Tottenham and Newcastle are facing significant challenges in the Champions League, not because of their on-pitch performance, but due to UEFA’s strict squad registration rules. Both clubs are grappling with an unbalanced squad as they struggle to meet the homegrown player and List A/ B criteria, highlighting a unique dilemma that could affect their European aspirations.
Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, two of the Premier League’s most ambitious clubs, have found themselves in a rather awkward situation ahead of the 2025/26 Champions League season. While both sides are excited to be part of Europe’s elite competition, they’re also facing a major squad conundrum: UEFA’s strict Champions League squad registration rules.
At first glance, the problem may not seem immediately obvious. After all, both clubs are now in a position where they can challenge for major honors. But when it comes to UEFA’s squad limitations, the complexities are numerous, and these regulations could severely hamper their European campaigns.
UEFA vs. Premier League: What’s the Difference?
In the Premier League, clubs can have a maximum of 25 players in their List A squad, with at least eight of those being homegrown (trained in England for at least three years before the age of 21). This gives clubs plenty of flexibility, and players under 21 can be added to List B without restriction.
UEFA’s rules, however, are far stricter, with two distinct categories for homegrown players: association-trained and club-trained. An association-trained player must have spent three years in English football between the ages of 15 and 21, while a club-trained player must have spent those same years at the specific club. To make things even trickier, players under 21 can only qualify for List B if they’ve been at the club for at least two consecutive years (or three years with one year on loan).
This creates immediate complications for clubs like Spurs and Newcastle, who both have relatively young squads that are not yet fully compatible with these regulations.
How These Rules Are Impacting Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham’s situation highlights the immediate problems faced by clubs that qualify for the Champions League without fully considering UEFA’s squad constraints. While Spurs have no problem fulfilling the Premier League’s squad requirements—thanks to seven homegrown players—they’re now at a major disadvantage in Europe.
In theory, Spurs have 25 spaces for their Champions League List A squad. But, as things stand, they only have one club-trained player who qualifies for List A: third-choice goalkeeper Brandon Austin. This means their European squad is immediately reduced to just 22 players, with only 17 unrestricted spots available for the rest of their squad.
Even more problematic is that none of the club’s younger players—such as Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, and Wilson Odobert—meet UEFA’s criteria for List B inclusion. As a result, Spurs will be forced to register these players on their 17 unrestricted List A spots. This leaves them with a lopsided squad for Europe, where they’ll have to juggle both their domestic and European commitments with only 22 available places.
Another complication arises in defense. Spurs currently have just three senior full-backs registered for Europe—Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie, and Djed Spence. With no viable options in List B, the club may have to explore re-signing former players like Kyle Walker-Peters or Dennis Cirkin to fill in the gaps.
Goalkeeping Dilemmas for Spurs
Tottenham’s goalkeeping situation is another issue. With two high-quality keepers—Guglielmo Vicario and Antonin Kinsky—the club may have to register both for the Champions League. But this would mean sacrificing another outfield player, leaving Spurs with a very thin squad for European competition. If one of the keepers suffers a minor injury or suspension, Spurs could be in a real bind, with 20-year-old rookie Aaron Maguire as their third-choice goalkeeper.
UEFA’s rules allow for an emergency goalkeeper to be called up if two designated keepers are injured for over 30 days, but this is hardly a long-term solution for Spurs. The club must decide whether it’s worth prioritizing their goalkeepers or strengthening other areas of the squad.
What Are Newcastle’s Options?
Much like Spurs, Newcastle United is also grappling with the complexities of UEFA’s squad rules. The Magpies have a solid first-team squad, but they’re heavily reliant on Sean Longstaff, their only homegrown club-trained player, to meet the requirements for the Champions League.
While the club could choose to retain Longstaff as a Champions League specialist, there are other complications. Selling him would significantly reduce their available players for List A, meaning they would have to operate with just a 21-man squad. To further complicate matters, Newcastle’s backup options are thin, particularly in goal, where experienced keepers like Fraser Forster could fill in, but again, this solution would only be temporary.
Like Spurs, Newcastle’s solution to these squad issues lies in making strategic decisions now, rather than waiting for the regulations to ease in future years. With players like Lewis Miley poised to take up a role in List B, Newcastle could find a way to balance their squad, but that’s far from guaranteed.
The Long-Term View
Spurs and Newcastle’s current squad headaches are largely due to the restrictions imposed by UEFA. But there is some relief on the horizon. As young players like Bergvall and Gray complete their time at the clubs, they’ll be eligible for List B, opening up more spaces for other players in the future.
By the 2026/27 season, both teams will be better equipped to meet UEFA’s rules without having to make panic signings. However, for this season, they must find a way to navigate the complex squad regulations, or risk entering the Champions League with a squad too thin to compete at the highest level.
