Event
Details
- Fixture:
Newcastle United vs FC Barcelona — Champions League 2025-26, Group Stage
opener.
- Date & Kick-off Time: Thursday 18 September 2025. Kick-off is 8:00 PM BST in
the UK. (Equivalent times: 3 PM ET in the US)
- Venue:
St James’ Park, Newcastle. Newcastle’s home ground.
- Referee & Officials: Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden). VAR: Jérôme Brisard
(France).
Team
News & Injury / Availability
Here are what we know about both
sides in terms of fitness, absentees, returning players, and how that might
affect line-ups.
Newcastle
United
- Newcastle are returning to Champions League action
after an absence of a year.
- Absentees / Doubtful:
- Yoane Wissa is injured (knee) and will miss the fixture.
- Jacob Ramsey is unavailable due to an ankle injury.
- Available / Returning:
- Anthony Gordon is back from suspension (his Premier
League suspension does not carry into European matches), so he is
eligible to play.
- There is some depth in defence: managers may have to
choose among centre-backs (like Fabian Schär, Dan Burn, maybe Botman or
Malick Thiaw) depending on injuries/freshness.
FC
Barcelona
- Barcelona are carrying several important absences:
- Lamine Yamal
is out with a groin injury and cannot play.
- Marc-André ter Stegen (goalkeeper) is unavailable due to injury.
- Gavi
is out with a knee injury.
- Alejandro Balde
is injured (hamstring).
- Frenkie de Jong
has had a muscle issue but is included in the squad; his fitness will be
monitored.
- Other key players in good condition include Robert
Lewandowski (expected to lead the attack), Pedri, Raphinha,
and Marcus Rashford.
Streaming
/ Viewing Info
- For UK viewers, the match will be broadcast on
the local Champions League rights holder – likely TNT Sports / Sky
Sports or equivalent. (Check your local listings.)
- In the US, the match is expected to be on Paramount+
/ platforms covering Champions League.
- For other countries, check the official Barcelona or
Newcastle site, or UEFA Champions League broadcasters in your region.