UEFA Coefficient Roundup: Qualifying Week 2

We are through the first of four qualifying rounds this summer, with 26 sides already eliminated from Europe. In total, clubs from 16 different countries were knocked out of the UEFA Conference League at the first hurdle. This already has a considerable impact on the UEFA coefficient ranking, and the battles each country is involved in.

Following the second week of qualifying across the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, here is a look at the UEFA coefficient battles and where we are at.

Battle for 50th: Welsh and Montenegrin Nightmare

Starting at the foot of the rankings, it appears to be a lot clearer as to how this coefficient race will play out. Of the nine countries that entered this season in this race, four of them have their domestic champions still in the UCL. Another two have all of their teams in Europe, which is an impressive feat.

Wales and Montenegro are already having summers to forget. They are the only two countries to have zero wins on the season despite having multiple sides involved. The Welsh are well on their way to another bottom five finish, unless The New Saints can pull off a miracle. The same goes for Montenegro, who will have to rely on Sutjeska to successfully negotiate three rounds of UECL qualification.

Andorra and Estonia have already surpassed 1.000 point this summer, with both countries also enjoying four wins and only one defeat. While the former are likely to be safe, the latter still have work to do. In both cases, all of their sides are in the UECL, which means no room for error. Andorra had all three sides make it past the first hurdle last summer, only to be wiped out after the second qualifying round. A repeat performance here could see them fall into the bottom five this time.

UEFA Coeffiicents 26/27: Qualifying Week 1

Lithuania are well on their way to clinching a top 50 spot as they have three of their four teams left and at least 10 more games. Gibraltar and Northern Ireland lost two sides each, but their champions progressed in the UCL. As a result, both have hope of remaining out of the bottom five. Georgia can also keep hope alive despite a rather poor week, while Luxembourg are in a spot of bother.

There is an interesting balance here in this race: having a full complement of clubs still in Europe, versus the domestic champion being involved in the UCL second qualifying round. It is a trade-off, as more teams means more opportunities for points. However, passing UCL Q1 presents a team at least six more games, where another successful tie would grant them another 6-8 more matches. This is something to keep in mind for the rest of the summer, as these nations will likely see their initial UECL representatives lose in the next two rounds.

The next two rounds of qualification will tell us more about this race, and will likely confirm who will be in the top 50 and who will end up in the bottom five.

Battle for 33rd/38th: Ireland, Armenia Do Enough As Faroes Show Fight

Moving to the countries fighting for places in the top 33 and top 38, and in both cases, the gap slightly increased after this week's results. Still early days and still plenty of time, but there are conclusions that can be made at this point.

The Republic of Ireland and Armenia went into the 2026/27 campaign with the advantage, and so far, they are doing everything correctly to maintain their top 33 places. Not only do they have their four sides left, but the domestic champions did the job in the UCL - albeit with some trouble. Still, this sees the both of them strengthen their positions.

Bosnia and Kosovo are now in a very different spot now given their domestic champions fell in the UCL. In Bosnia's case, FK Sarajevo were also knocked out. It does not spell the end just yet, but it certainly does not aid them in their hopes of finishing 33rd or better.

Latvia and Finland both had very good weeks as their aim to hold onto their top 38 places increased considerably. Four out of four clubs left, and KuPS are going strong in the UCL for Finland. Seeing that Moldova and the Faroe Islands both lost a team each - though the latter still has their champion in the UCL and come off a strong week - the task to break into the top 38 just got much more arduous. Of course, we have yet to see what Vaduz can do for Liechtenstein, but the Latvians and Finnish sides have already steered their nations in the right direction.

Kazakhstan were the only country of the lot to lose multiple teams, with Astana's elimination in particular being quite damaging. Kairat's UCL success may have slightly softened the blow. With that in mind, it puts the pressure on them and Tobol, who enter the UECL next week, to push towards the league phase. Any hopes of top 33 rests primarily on Kairat.

It is always important to remember how the story can quickly change, so there the opportunity is still there for those hoping to make a move in the ranking. With that said, some countries will need to act swiftly and decisively if they are to enjoy any success this season. Bosnia and Kosovo have their work cut out for them, as do Moldova, Faroe Islands, and Liechtenstein.

Battle for 22nd/29th: Azerbaijan Amaze, Serbia Struggle

To the other battles in the ranking, the ones for top 22 and top 29. So far, no one from 17th to 33rd have lost a team. However, not everyone can be left satisfied after this week of play.

Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, and Iceland all lost their UEL teams, who have fallen to the UECL. As for Hungary, Győr dropped out of the UCL. Those six are left at an early disadvantage. For Romania, Slovenia, and Hungary, that puts immediate pressure in their aspirations of claiming a top 22 spot. This spells as good news for everyone else involved in this race.

Looking At the UEFA Coefficient Battles For the 2026/27 Season

Azerbaijan and Bulgaria are in a great place after the first qualifying round, and have strengthened their chances of holding onto the top 29 places. Things will heat up in the second round of qualification, and if their UECL teams can advance at least one round, that could prove decisive.

Ukraine and Croatia may not have impressed with their UEL sides, but they are both through. Neither managed to claim maximum points, which could always come back to haunt them. The challenge will be much greater in Q2.

This battle really comes into the picture in the second qualifying round across all three competitions, where there are more direct clashes with everything on the line.

A Look at Everyone Else

We close this UEFA coefficient roundup by looking at the five nations not involved in a battle in the five-year ranking. And, for the majority of the five countries, it was not a great week. Only Albania and Belarus can be left happy.

North Macedonia, Malta, and San Marino have lost at least one club in the UECL this past week, while their champions failed to move on in the UCL. Of course, for San Marino, they will finish 55th at season's end. No surprise there. However, for the other two, the aim will certainly be to adding as many points as possible for future campaigns.

Albania may have lost multiple clubs, but they are the only one of the five to see their domestic champion go through in the Champions League. In total, they are assured at least eight more matches, which is a welcomed pleasure for them.

As for Belarus, they have their full complement of teams left after BATE Borisov and Dinamo Minsk did their work in the UECL. They will be joined by ML Vitebsk, who is out of the UCL. With that in mind, the goal has to be to get as far as possible. After all, Belarus only has 0.625 points to defend this season, so it is almost a free hit.