UEFA Women's Coefficient Review: Matchday 3
A look at the UEFA women's coefficient battles for the 2026/27 season after UWCL Matchday 3 and UWEC round of 16 first legs
The midpoint of the UEFA Women's Champions League's league phase, as well as the first legs of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup proper passed this week. Of the 17 nations still involved in Europe, 11 of them earned UEFA women's coefficient points. There was only one change in the rankings as a result, with time running out on many to make any movements.
Where do we stand before the action returns in two weeks? Here is the latest UEFA women's coefficient roundup.
Battle for Second: Strong Spain Keep Moving
We begin at the very top, where the battle for second place has been very one-sided up to this point. Spain earned 1.666 of a possible 2.000 this past week, while France picked up 0.333 less points. Both went unbeaten, but the French are again left to rue a missed chance.
While France have won more points this season - thanks in large part to the UWCL bonus points - they still find themselves 6.165 points behind Spain for second spot. Remember, an extra automatic UWCL place is on the line here.
There is a direct clash coming up in the next matchday of the UWCL, which could very well be a final chance for the French. It will be a must-win for them, as anything less will be a victory for the Spaniards. Currently, both countries would have two sides in the Women's Champions League knockout stage, while Spain's Real Sociedad are well poised to advance in the Women's Europa Cup.
It makes things quite hard for France to claw their way back. It is still possible though, and they will require a massive second half of the UWCL league phase if they are to turn things around.
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When the UWCL returns for back-to-back matchdays in November, keep in mind that match between Real Madrid and Paris FC. That could very well decide how this battle plays out.
Battle for Sixth/Seventh: Sweden Enjoy Strong Week
To the race for sixth and seventh, where only Sweden can be left satisfied with how the last week went. It was a near-perfect two days from their perspective, as they moved further clear of Netherlands while also closing the gap on Portugal for sixth.
Now, they still have to cover a 4.500-point gap to Portugal between now and season's end. But, if Hammarby and Malmö can both make runs in the UWEC, that will go a long way. The pair won their respective first leg ties, with the latter's win over direct rivals Ajax being even more significant. One problem persists here for the Swedes: should the duo hold onto their leads, they face each other in the quarterfinals. That means no all-Swedish final like last term.
It is not outside of the realms of possibility that the Nordic country could be the only one of the three countries left with UWEC sides beyond the round of 16. All three of the Dutch contingent were beaten, with Feyenoord all but out. PSV will likely see their run end here, while Ajax are the country's last hope. Meanwhile, Torreense drew their first leg in Czechia.
Seeing that Portugal are already down a team, the pressure is on Benfica to pick up the slack in the UWCL. They are clinging onto the final knockout round berth at the moment, and will have a winnable game next time out. Should they win that, it could go a long way to keeping their country in sixth spot.
Malmö's match in the UWEC is the one to follow next time out. If they hold on, we can reasonably assume Netherlands will be eliminated, guaranteeing Sweden at least seventh. From there, it will be question what Hammarby and BK Häcken do in their games. It could end up being a considerable swing for the Swedes, and added pressure for Portugal.
Battle for 13th/17th: Swiss Joy, Iceland Survive for Now
The last battles in the UEFA women's coefficient ranking are the ones for 13th and 17th, where the former is really getting interesting. Switzerland strengthened their chances of clinching 13th, while Iceland are holding onto that final spot for now.
The thing that makes things really fascinating here is the fact the race for top 13 could be done next time out. If none of Sparta Praha, Fenerbahçe, nor Czarni Sosnowiec move on in the UWEC, that will be it. Denmark and Switzerland both grabbed results, with the latter even getting a win in the UWCL through Servette. That ensured that should Fener fail to overcome their first leg deficit, Türkiye will be unable to catch the Swiss.
As for the last spot in the top 17, Spartak Myjava lost their game, meaning Slovakia remain 18th. Regardless of what happens in the decider, this race will be done. Should the Slovak side avoid defeat, they will pass Iceland and end the term at least 17th. Lose again, and the Nordic nation will celebrate despite their disappointing campaign. It adds a fascinating twist here, as this could go either way.
Now we know that all eyes are on Sparta, Fener, Czarni, and Myjava in the UWEC. Their results in the UWEC return legs will determine whether this race will continue into 2027, or end this month.
A Look At Everyone Else
It was a mixed week for the other six countries left in Europe but not in a UEFA women's coefficient battle. Half of them picked up at least a point, while the other half finished with less than a point.
England and Germany impressed the most, finishing with a 2-1-0 record each. That means the former are still unbeaten so far, though they have drawn nearly half of their games. Norway also can be happy, earning a victory and a draw. Italy saw only one of their three sides come out on top, with Belgium and Austria both firing blanks.
Germany are the only nation in the top five not to have collected 10.000 points on the season. Though, Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt will likely change that in their UWEC deciders, as they can earn a combined 1.666 for the Germans. That could become 2.333 points should Bayern Munich win their UWCL game as well.
Belgium and Austria have only managed a draw each in the UWCL so far, with their other teams already eliminated. While there is nothing on the line for them this term, they will surely want to increase their coefficients for the upcoming seasons so they can reinforce their places in the top 13.
As for Norway, they have a free shot to move closer to the top six for future years. They are basically 9.000 points behind Portugal this term, but to start the 2027//28 season, that total will decrease by 5.000. If Rosenborg and/or Brann can make the semifinals of the UWEC, that could very well see the Norwegians start next campaign with a gap of less than 3.000 points to the Portuguese, while also giving Netherlands and Sweden something to think about.
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