Manchester City fans eager to see their new January recruits in action on the European stage will have to wait. As Pep Guardiola prepares his side for the crucial Champions League clash against Galatasaray on Wednesday night, a significant administrative hurdle has emerged.
Despite a busy winter window at the Etihad, none of the club’s new arrivals will be eligible to step onto the pitch at the RAMS Park. Here is the breakdown of the UEFA rules keeping the new boys in the stands.
The "February 2" Rule: A Matter of Timing
The primary reason for the ineligibility is simple: The UEFA Registration Deadline.
According to Article 46 of the UEFA Champions League regulations, clubs are permitted to register a maximum of three new eligible players for the knockout stages (and the final round of the league phase). However, this registration window only opens after the January transfer window closes.
The Deadline: The deadline to submit the "List A" squad for the remainder of the competition is midnight CET on February 2, 2026.
The Conflict: Because the Galatasaray fixture takes place on January 28, the registration window has not yet passed. Effectively, City are still locked into the squad list they submitted back in September 2024.
The "List A" Restrictions
Even after the February deadline, Pep Guardiola faces a selection headache. UEFA rules stipulate that the overall limit of 25 players on "List A" must still be respected.
To register a new signing, Man City must:
Remove a player currently on the list (due to injury, departure, or tactical choice).
Ensure they still meet the "Homegrown Player" quota (8 spots reserved for players trained in the same association).
If City have signed more than three players this month, at least one of them will be forced to miss the entire Champions League knockout campaign regardless of their fitness.
Who Misses Out?
While the club has been linked with several high-profile moves to bolster the defense and midfield, any player signed between January 1 and today is officially ineligible for the trip to Istanbul. This includes:
The "Marquee" Midfielder: (e.g., rumors surrounding a long-term Rodri replacement).
Youth Prospects: Any U21 players signed from outside the club who do not meet the "List B" criteria (which requires a player to have been at the club for two uninterrupted years).
The Verdict: While it’s frustrating for fans wanting to see "the new era" begin immediately, the rule is a standard protection for the integrity of the competition. For now, Guardiola must rely on his established stars to navigate the "Hell" of Istanbul and secure City’s progression.