UEFA Women's Coefficient Review: Matchday 2

We have a much clearer picture of the UEFA women's coefficient battles following a chaotic week of football. The second matchday of the UEFA Women's Champions League and UEFA Women's Europa Cup second qualifying round deciders took place, with 16 more teams being eliminated from Europe. That also saw bonus points be awarded in the UWEC, where the competition proper will begin after the upcoming international break.

So, what are the conclusions? Who were the biggest winners and losers after last week's play? Here is the latest UEFA women's coefficient roundup.

Battle for Second: Spain Add to Lead

We begin at the top, where Spain and France continue to battle it out for second spot. The former certainly had the better week thanks to the bonus points won by Real Sociedad.

The 0.833 bonus points for advancing to the UWEC proper made the difference last time out, as both countries earned 1.333 match points. That helped Spain stretch the lead to 5.833. It feels like things are already slipping away for France.

It will be pivotal for the French to have all three teams in the knockout rounds at this point. If OL Lyonnes and Paris Saint-Germain can hold onto their top four spots, that will also be helpful. The sooner the two Reals are knocked out, the better. If by the end of the UWCL league phase the lead is still more than 3.000, this will be all but wrapped up.

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There is still one more Spain vs France match in the UWCL group phase, which will come on matchday 4. If it does not go France's way, expect this race to conclude.

Battle for Sixth/Seventh: Netherlands Pile Up Bonus Points

We saw the highest ranked country to lose a club in last week's UWEC qualifying as Portugal's Sporting CP were knocked out. That could be costly for the Iberian nation in the race for sixth with Sweden, who still have the Netherlands to contend with for seventh place.

The Dutch, while earning just 0.166 bonus points, made up for it in a big way as all three of PSV, Ajax, and Feyenoord advanced to the UWEC proper. That saw them pull up to 2.333 points behind the Swedes, who also saw Hammarby and Malmö go through in the second tier competition. The next round will feature a direct clash between the two countries, where up to 1.500 points will on the line.

For Portugal, Sporting's elimination was softened by Torreense getting the job done. They and Benfica have it all to do now if they are to keep their country in sixth spot. The good thing for them is they still have a lead in excess of 4.000 points, which is a positive sign at this point of the season. With that said, it is not quite over yet, and the Portuguese duo have work to do.

The next two weeks could prove to be pivotal for all three countries here. Netherlands could very well be knocked out of the UWEC, which would benefit Sweden. But, the Nordic country will still have Portugal in their sights, which adds the the intrigue.

Battle for 13th/17th: Iceland Hold Breath

Things are truly heating up in the battle for top 13/top 17 in the UEFA women's coefficient rankings. There, we find up to six countries looking to grab one of the last two spots in the top 13. Meanwhile, an eliminated Iceland have a nervous two weeks coming later this fall.

Denmark were among the biggest winners of the week, as they earned a whopping 1.833 points while Køge defeated a direct competitor in Switzerland's Servette. Brøndby's success in the UWEC also contributed significantly, adding the extra 0.833 bonus points. The Danes' chances of holding a top 13 spot at season's end has gone up by quite a bit.

Türkiye and Poland continued their highly successful campaigns as Fenerbahçe and Czarni Sosnowiec earned their third and fifth victories of the season, respectively. Seeing they are their countries' only clubs in Europe, all points earned are also won for their nations. Both are now guaranteed at least top 17 at minimum, but even a place in the top 13 is not out of the question.

Czechia lost their UWEC entrant in Slovan Liberec, leaving Sparta Praha with the arduous task of leading them to top 13. The gap is nearly 2.000 points to Switzerland, making it an unenviable job for Sparta. The competition intensifies at this point of the UWEC, and their next tie will be far from straightforward.

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Iceland are completely out of Europe as Breiðablik and FH fell. With Spartak Myjava finishing off PAOK - thereby ending the Greeks' season - the Icelandic are in trouble to lose 17th spot. They are only holding on at the moment due to Myjava drawing the game. Otherwise, the top 17 would have been confirmed. Now they need Myjava to lose both of their round of 16 games. Just a draw is required for Slovakia to end the 2026/27 season ahead of Iceland, which would be a shock.

We are now getting to the business end of this battle. It still feels like anything could happen. Denmark and Switzerland have the advantage of their teams being in the UWCL, guaranteeing four more matches. That cannot be said for the Turks, Czechs, Poles, and Slovaks. One more slip-up, and their season will be done. Iceland are left watching to see whether Myjava can get Slovakia over the line for 17th. That is the most interesting battle to watch here.

Battle for 24th/28th: Kazakhstan Ends Year On High

There are no more nations left in Europe below Slovakia in 18th. That means the race for top 24/28 is over, and places 19th and lower are confirmed.

Ukraine, Romania, Finland, and Belarus were eliminated from Europe with defeats, while Kazakhstan grabbed a win as part of their inevitable loss. They jumped up to 37th to end the year, earning 1.500 points in 2025/26. Romania missed the chance to put pressure on Ireland for 24th, and will have to be satisfied with 27th.

Kosovo and Latvia were the only countries in this battle to earn more than 1.500 points this term, though they both ended up lower than 28th. The rest of the nations faltered very quickly, with the likes of Ukraine and Ireland fortunate to hold onto their top 24 places. Albania's 25th was also lucky, seeing they lost all four of their games.

Russia, despite being banned once more, will end the year in 26th once the assigned points are awarded. However, should their ban remain for the 2028/29 campaign, Lithuania's champion will enter UWCL Q2 along with those from Albania, Romania, and Cyprus.

A Look at Everyone Else

We finish with a look at the other six countries not in a five-year UEFA women's coefficient battle. Of the half dozen nations, Germany and Norway had an excellent week.

The Germans obtained the maximum points available for them after Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg, and Eintracht Frankfurt all won. The latter two collected bonus points in the UWEC as well, adding to the success. Norway could have ended up with 3.500 points had Vålerenga progressed from their tie. But, while they were victorious on the night, it was not enough to keep them in the competition. Still, they jumped ahead of Belgium, who earned no points as OH Leuven were soundly beaten in their game.

Austria had a heartbreaking week, as Austria Wien were moments away from an infamous UWCL win. Instead, they had to settle for a draw. Meanwhile, with St. Pölten and Sturm Graz ousted from the UWEC, no extra points were added there. It piles the pressure on FAK to go through in the UWCL to add onto their coefficient.

England and Italy added a point each after mixed weeks. All three English clubs drew, while the Italian trio went 1-1-1. They continue to have the most UEFA women's coefficient points obtained on the season, with France being the next closest on 9.833.