UEFA Women's Coefficient Review: UWCL Second Qualifying Round - Part 1

The UEFA Women's Champions League second qualifying round began on Tuesday and Wednesday with a whopping 22 games. With some unexpected results, it means the UEFA women's coefficient rankings had some significant changes, and will see some more on Friday and Saturday when the round concludes. Eleven more teams will be eliminated from Europe, while another 22 will enter the UEFA Women's Europa Cup.

So, where do we stand women's coefficient rankings after the season's third matchday? Here is a look.

Battle for 24th/28th: Greece, Slovakia Make More Big Moves

We begin at the bottom of the rankings, where there were a plethora of movements in the race for 24th and 28th.

So far, if we exclude the countries above who already eliminated/banned, six can still dream of having a team in the third qualifying round. That would be massive, as reaching the UWCL league phase would see them fly up the rankings. Suddenly, top 17 could become a possibility.

Slovakia and Finland are particularly happy with how Wednesday went. Spartak Myjava and HJK prevailed, setting up a scenario where both could end up being in the top 24 by the end of the round. What a rise that would be for Slovakia in particular, who had to start in the opening round.

Poland's ascent continued as Czarni Sosnowiec made it through on penalties. They were one of three teams from the first qualifying round to advance, and will face a direct rival in Slovakia's Myjava. It is definitely one of the biggest games of the weekend, as the winner will almost surely secure top 24 for their nation.

UEFA Women's Coeffiicents 26/27: Qualifying Week 2

Ukraine and Cyprus are in danger of losing both of their (UWCL) clubs after they all failed to advance. if they do so, the former will have to rely on one team to keep their top 28 hopes alive, while the latter will finish below 28th. Belarus could also end up with neither of their teams dropping to the UWEC, completing what has been a dramatic fall down the rankings for them in recent times.

Kazakhstan can still believe in top 28 after Aktobe's upset win on penalties. Should they advance on Friday, that could open the door for a big jump in the rankings for the Eurasian country. It was not long ago they had multiple teams in Europe. That could be a reality once again.

Bosnia are currently in the top 24, but are already in danger due to Sarajevo's loss. Serbia and Latvia also hold 27th and 28th for now, but should their champions fail to finish third in their mini-tournament, it will spell disaster for the Baltic country, and pose problems fro the Balkan nation.

All of the mini-tournaments in the champions path are the ones worth watching here, as they will determine where we stand and who will be eliminated over the next two days. Some will be in a very solid position, while others might end up clinging on. Whatever scenario plays out, be prepared to see some more nations in blue and red in the next review.

Battle for 13th/17th: Scotland, Austria Enjoy Fast Start

Next is a look at the spots in the top 13/top 17 of the UEFA women's coefficient rankings, where we already see some movements.

The two countries that will be the most satisfied with how things went were Austria and Scotland, who saw their pair of teams win. The former have really solidified their place in the top 13 alongside Belgium. If the two can get a side in the league phase, that should secure at least 13th for the duo.

For Scotland, there is already steady improvement as both Rangers and Hearts won as unseeded sides against more experienced opponents on the continental scene. While the pair can already count on a place in the UWEC, victory on Saturday will see them be assured at least four more games each. Keep that in mind, as it could be decisive - not only for a place in the top 17, but even 13th.

Switzerland and Iceland both moved up a spot the former having one team lose and the other had their only representative in the UWCL fall on penalties. Much was expected of Breiðablik, who had a great 2025/26 campaign. They and Young Boys are in trouble though, and could put their countries under pressure early.

Czechia, Slovenia, and Albania all failed to collect points as their four teams combined all lost. While the Czechs already have a side in the third qualifying round, Albania's two teams could be gone by Saturday. Then not only is 17th out of the question, but even a top 24 place could be lost. Slovenia have a UWEC representative, but will hope for Mura to join them in the first qualifying round in that competition.

Belgium and Türkiye saw their sole teams in the round win, a result particularly important for the latter. Now OH Leuven and Fenerbahçe will compete in their mini-tournament final in a direct clash. Those extra two games for the winning team could become key by the end the season, so watch out for that. Greece's PAOK also won, setting up a scenario where they could be 17th by the end of the week.

So, going into Friday/Saturday, as many as five countries could lose a team - or in Albania's case, both teams. On the contrary, seven could have at least one side in the next stage, with two in the running for multiple. Definitely something worth keeping an eye on.

Battle for Sixth/Seventh: Sweden Impress Already

To the race for top six/top seven, where Sweden and Netherlands started off with a perfect two-for-two. Portugal, on the other hand, already saw one of their teams lose.

For reference, the Swedes were the best of the rest last term thanks to two of their teams contesting the inaugural Women's Europa Cup final. They have already surpassed their UEFA women's coefficient total from four years ago, thanks to wins from Hammarby and Malmö.

As such, the danger is already real for Portugal, who could be down a team by the end of the week. It would truly be disastrous for them and their hopes of holding onto sixth place. Torreense's result on Saturday is one to keep an eye on as they will aim to continue their European journey in the Women's Europa Cup. Failure to do so will put heavy pressure on their country.

Netherlands also managed two wins from two as they start what will likely be a rather tricky task of passing Sweden for seventh place. The game remains at 4.167, meaning it is quite possible. With that said, PSV and Ajax will be looking to win their respective mini-tournaments to go one step closer towards the league phase.

Norway are too far back from their Nordic neighbours to be able to give them a proper challenge. While Brann won their game easily, Vålerenga suffered a defeat. After making the league phase last year, they are now facing an elimination game very early on. If the Norwegians are to have a strong year, they will not want to lose a team this early on.

Sweden and Netherlands can take a big step forward on Saturday should their teams advance to the third qualifying round. That, along with Torreense's game are the ones to keep an eye on in this battle over the weekend.

Battle for Third: Germany Make Most of Early Start

We cap off with the race for third spot. Spain and France do not have any teams in this round, which allowed Germany to creep up on the latter a little.

And that was done in emphatic fashion thanks to Eintracht Frankfurt's big win. That earned the Germans an early 0.333 points.

Of course, the work is not quite done yet, as Frankfurt need to win on Saturday to earn the maximum points this early on. After all, Germany's deficit is still about six points to France, so these early results are pivotal for a successful season.

Italy are not in contention to finish any higher than fifth, but will be happy that Juventus got over the line in their game. It is a matter of claiming as many points as possible for future seasons for them.

Looking At the UEFA Women's Coefficient Battles For the 2026/27 Season

The 11 winners from the second qualifying round mini-tournaments will advance to September's third qualifying round. As for the losing finalists, they will continue their European journey in the Women's Europa Cup second qualifying round. The third place finishers will also play in the UWEC, but start a round earlier. Teams who finish fourth will be eliminated from Europe altogether.