By Martin Graham
UEFA’s reform for the 2024–25 campaign increased the Champions League field from 32 to 36 clubs, introducing two additional qualification positions. These places go to the nations whose teams collectively produce the strongest results in the three European tournaments during the previous season.
Federations collect two points for each win and one for any draw in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. Progress in each competition brings additional rewards, with the Champions League offering the biggest bonuses. The results obtained during the qualifying phases count for half.
The total is then divided by the number of clubs each nation entered at the start of the season. England, for example, started this term with nine participants, meaning all points won in Europe are divided by nine.
Last year, Spain and England won the two available places, which allowed Newcastle i Athletic Club to qualify directly. Last season, Italy and Germany claimed the places, with bologna i Borussia Dortmund advancing as a result.
Last move in the standings
England extended their gap at the top of the table on Wednesday thanks to Arsenal’s victory over Bayern Munich. Despite two defeats for the other English teams involved that night, the win added up to enough to move them a full point ahead of Germany.
The German clubs did not collect anything on Wednesday, with Eintracht Frankfurt Defeat by 3-0 a Atalanta adding to a disappointing evening. This result boosted Italy’s push, while Spain caught Italy with the same total number of supporters of Atlético de Madrid success against Inter Milan i of Real Madrid triumph at Olympiakos.
Sporting CP’s win against Club Brugge helped Portugal finish fifth. Cyprus kept their place in sixth place after Paphos turned around their meeting with Monaco to finish the level.
Positions seven to ten
Copenhagen’s win over Kairat Almaty saw Denmark move up to seventh place. Previously ranked Poland fell to eighth place as a result.
France maintained ninth position. Paris St-Germain’s win against Tottenham and Monaco’s draw in Cyprus ensured they did not lose ground. Belgium stayed in 10th, with three of their top five clubs still involved.
The current top 10 in the race for European performance places 2026-27
- England — 10,388 (9/9 clubs still active)
- Germany — 9,428 (7/7 clubs still active)
- Italy — 9,000 (7/7 clubs still active)
- Spain — 9,000 (8/8 clubs still active)
- Portugal — 8,800 (4/5 clubs still active)
- Cyprus — 8,500 (3/4 clubs still active)
- Denmark — 8,125 (2/4 clubs still active)
- Poland — 7,875 (4/4 clubs still active)
- France — 7,357 (7/7 clubs still active)
- Belgium — 6,500 (3/5 clubs still active)
