UEFA Coefficient Roundup: Qualifying Week 7

The penultimate week of qualifiers took place across the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Conference League as the first legs of the playoff round occurred. Only six of the 43 matches saw a team win by three or more goals - none coming in the UECL - showing just how intense this stage truly is.

There were small changes in the UEFA coefficient ranking as well, but with the final 24 league phase spots to be decided next week, we cannot jump to conclusions quite yet.

Here is the latest UEFA coefficient roundup following week seven of qualifying.

Battle for 50th: Northern Ireland Have Life

Another twist transpired in the race to avoid the bottom five. That came in Gibraltar, where Larne beat Lincoln Red Imps in the direct clash. With Iberia 1999 losing in the Europa League, that now leaves Georgia in the bottom five heading into the second legs.

Due to the two outcomes, the chances of this battle being decided during the league phase has suddenly increased. The only way this does not happen if Larne get knocked out next Thursday while Iberia avoid defeat. Anything else will see this battle carry on to the league phase.

UEFA Conference League 2026/27: Playoff Round Preview

Depending of how things go on Thursday, Georgia now know that their defending champions need to earn at least one result during the league phase to clinch a top 50 spot for them. Of course, that minimum could still go up. But, time will tell.

Battle for 33rd/38th: Bosnia Pounce During Quiet Week

The countries battling for places in the top 33 and top 38 had a largely quiet week overall. Only one nation managed to win, while one fell to defeat. As for everyone else, it was draws across the board.

Bosnia and Herzegovina were the only ones to get a win this week, which saw them jump ahead of Latvia. At this point, it does not mean too much, as the aim is to catch Ireland and Armenia in the top 33. The gap is still fairly big at this point, with no country within 1.500 points of the aforementioned duo. But, seeing Shamrock Rovers drew against KuPS at home, that could give reason for hope.

Finland are in a fascinating spot, given the fact they have two teams left. In the unlikely event that both KuPS and Inter Turku move on, it would give them a massive boost in their hopes of reaching the top 33. The rest of the chasing pack could also be eliminated this week, which would end this battle very early.

UEFA Coeffiicents 26/27: Qualifying Week 6

As for the Faroe Islands, a KÍ Klaksvík draw at home is welcoming, but they are still 2.500 points behind Kazakhstan in 38th. It is getting even more difficult to imagine them chasing down the Eurasian country. Of course, if KÍ are beaten in next week's decider, this race is well and truly over.

Heading into the return legs, we will well and truly have a better reflection of how things will look going into the league phase. This could be an intense battle, or one that is wrapped up.

Battle for 22nd/29th: Scotland With Solid Week

Similar to the race for 33rd, most of the countries in the running for a top 22 spot had a largely average week. There were not really any notable changes, with most earning between 0.125 and 0.300 points.

Scotland were the only ones to get multiple wins this week, though they came from the Old Firm as always. They are the most intriguing to follow of the lot. They could have all five teams in the league phase, or they could end up with only Celtic. That is certainly something to keep an eye on next week.

Among the rest of the countries, Austria earned 0.300 points thanks to a RB Salzburg win and Rapid Wien stalemate. Israel also picked up a victory and a draw, while Hungary, Azerbaijan, and Serbia also enjoyed successes. Sweden and Iceland were left empty-handed, with the latter on the verge of elimination. That would help Slovakia and Bulgaria hold onto a top 29 place.

UEFA Champions League 2026/27: Playoff Round Preview

The line for 22nd is still pretty thin, with many countries within a 3.000-point range. Any bonus points won for reaching the Champions League proper could be huge. Nine of the 11 countries between 18th and 28th can still dream of this, which would win 1.500 points for the nations with four teams, and 1.200 for Scotland and Austria. Pay attention to Tuesday's and Wednesday's results for this reason.

Battle for 14th: Norway With Best Week Yet

The race for 14th had a small twist this week, as Norway's five teams went unbeaten - albeit with only one win. Still, they now have pushed further ahead of Cyprus.

The Cypriots have been quite poor this summer, and it could come back to haunt them. Pafos could not win a match they were expected to, and now could face elimination. Omonoia were also beaten, adding insult to injury. It is seemingly a long road back now.

It could get even worse for the Cypriots next week. Denmark are currently poised to have all four of their teams in the UECL, while Norway could earn 2.400 bonus points through Viking and Bodø/Glimt should they qualify for the UCL league phase. Add to the fact Pafos could be knocked out, and the situation could get very dire. Falling out of the top 15 could even become possible.

The Danes kept up their strong season by adding another two wins plus a draw. They are favourites to have their full complement of teams in the UECL proper, which would all but surely wrap up top 14 for them.

The six current UECL teams for the trio, plus Viking and Bodø/Glimt will go a long way to seeing just how much of a chance Cyprus have of catching either of the Nordic duo during the league phase.

Battle for Top 10: Trio In Trouble?

To the battle for top 10, where Poland and Greece both earned 0.500 points, but cannot be satisfied. In fact, Türkiye might be the only one who can be somewhat happy with how things went.

Czechia failed to get a win, while Poland and Greece lost points from the teams they needed them from the most. The Czechs were lucky that Hradec Králové earned a late draw at Panathinaikos, otherwise, things would look very bleak for them.

Speaking of Greece, their only win came from OFI in the Europa League. AEK Athens, PAOK, and Panathinaikos could only afford draws - the latter two coming in the UECL at home. AEK making the UCL would immediately earn 1.200 bonus points, giving them serious headway into catching the countries above them. However, losing either (or both) of their UECL teams would be far more damaging, and could very well spell the end of their chase for top 10.

UEFA Europa League 2026/27: Playoff Round Preview

It is a similar story for Czechia, who will desperately need at least one of Hradec or Jablonec in the UECL proper. If that does not happen, it will be highly challenging for them. As for Poland, their two wins came from their UEL teams, which is not bad. The problem is, Raków and Górnik Zabrze could not win, with the latter losing at home. If they drop to two teams, the likelihood of them finishing in the top 10 would become very low.

Next week will be quite fun among the trio. Türkiye could end up smiling if they all lose teams (in Poland's case, more teams) as their hopes of holding onto ninth spot would go up insurmountably. Keep a very close eye on the six UECL teams plus AEK, which will play a significant role in determining where this battle ends up going come September.

A Look at Everyone Else

As ever, we conclude with a look at the other countries not involved in a five-year UEFA coefficient battle at the moment. The top four nations had their first matches last week, producing mixed results.

Spain and Germany collected wins along with France in the UECL, while England and Italy saw their representatives held to goalless draws. It is not panic yet, but it certainly cannot be seen as a good start for either, especially Italy.

Netherlands are in danger of losing another team after Twente lost at home. Belgium will also be worried after Gent could only muster a stalemate in their home game. As for Portugal, they look set to challenge for a European Performance Spot after Benfica and Braga secured home successes. Bar a turn of events, they should have a full complement of teams in the league phase.

Switzerland had a poor week, and could end up living to regret it as only Lugano won. Should they lose all of their UECL teams, that will basically ensure they cannot start a battle for 15th. Sion and Sankt Gallen will have to pick up the slack next week.

Towards the bottom, Albania and Andorra moved up one spot in the ranking as they all earned results. The latter could be the story of the summer if Inter Club d'Escaldes can make the UECL proper, which would be a first for any Andorran side. Lithuania saw their team lose as expected, but they are already guaranteed league phase football.