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NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.

Nineteen teams, including Manchester United, have secured qualification for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase, PUNCH Online reports.
United booked their return to Europe’s premier club competition with a 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford earlier this month.
The result guaranteed a top-five finish in the Premier League, ensuring qualification alongside Arsenal and Manchester City, with at least two more English clubs expected to join them.
With most major European leagues concluding over the next two weekends ahead of the FIFA World Cup, 19 of the 36 teams for the league phase are already known.
The list was confirmed in UEFA’s access list for the 2026/27 UCL, updated on Tuesday.
Additional qualifiers will be confirmed as domestic seasons conclude later in May.
Confirmed teams by country (as of Tuesday)
The Premier League has five qualification spots. Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United are confirmed. Liverpool and Aston Villa are well placed, though a scenario exists where the sixth-placed team could also qualify if Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League.
Bournemouth currently hold the advantage over Brighton for potential final-day qualification permutations.
La Liga champions Barcelona secured the title on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Real Madrid.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal, and Atletico Madrid have all qualified.
Fifth place remains open, with Real Betis favourites but Celta Vigo still in contention.
Inter Milan claimed their third Serie A title in six seasons and will return for a ninth consecutive Champions League campaign.
Napoli, Juventus, and AC Milan currently occupy the other automatic qualification spots, though Roma remain in contention.
Como have already secured European football for the first time.
Bayern Munich, under Vincent Kompany, cruised to another Bundesliga title and will be joined by Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
Stuttgart and Hoffenheim are level on points for the final qualification spot, with Bayer Leverkusen still mathematically in contention.
Holders Paris Saint-Germain are close to another Ligue 1 title and, along with Lens, have already secured a league phase place.
Lille, Lyon, and Rennes are battling for the remaining automatic and play-off spots.
PSV Eindhoven claimed the Eredivisie title with a significant points advantage.
Feyenoord have also qualified, while Twente, NEC Nijmegen, and Ajax are competing for the third-place qualification spot.
FC Porto are champions and the only Portuguese side guaranteed a league phase place.
Benfica and Sporting Lisbon are battling for the remaining spots, with Benfica still at risk of missing out despite an unbeaten league season.
Galatasaray clinched a fourth successive Süper Lig title and will enter the league phase, while runners-up Fenerbahce will start in the second qualifying round.
Shakhtar Donetsk have been promoted directly into the league phase following Arsenal and PSG’s participation in the 2026 final. (PUNCH)