The top four in England, Spain, Italy and Germany will as of the 2018-2019 season gain direct qualification to the group stages of the Champions League.

The move, announced by governing body UEFA, comes as part of its’ restructuring of the competition and sees 26 teams gaining direct entry, compared to the 22 of the old format.

This includes the winners of the Champions League and Europa League the season before, with six qualifying positions up for grabs.

As part of the new changes, the Champions League will also now have two new kick-off times, with the traditional 7:45pm start being replaced by 5.55pm and 8pm.

UEFA while insisting there will be no use of VAR next season, also introduced a new preliminary round to the qualifying phase.

Beginning at the end of June – overlapping with the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia which concludes midway through July – the Champions League will operate its preliminary event as a mini knockout tournament.

Four teams will enter at this stage and contest a semi-final and final for a place in the first qualifying round.