UEFA Women's Coefficient Review: UWCL Second Qualifying Round - Part 2

Last weekend saw the conclusion of the UEFA Women's Champions League second qualifying round mini-tournaments. Eleven sides ended up winning their MTs, pushing themselves one step closer to the competition's league phase. In the third place matches, the winning teams kept their European journey going into the UEFA Women's Europa Cup alongside the losing finalists, while the fourth place finishers are out of Europe.

With that all in mind, the results also played a key role in the UEFA women's coefficient rankings, with a few more nations being eliminated altogether. Where do we stand after the UWCL second round of qualification in this regard? Here is the latest UEFA women's coefficient review.

Battle for Top 24/Top 28: Lithuania, Cyprus Make Key Jump

We begin with the race for places in the top 24/top 28, where we again saw a multitude of movements. This is the second time - the first coming after the previous qualifying round - that we have a clearer view of who is still in contention here.

Starting at the very top, Greece and Poland are very close to securing top 24, and are certainly in contention for top 17. Bosnia are not too far away either, and if Sarajevo can progress from UWEC Q1, that should do the trick.

One of the three important movements saw Ukraine enter the top 24 thanks to their two teams winning do-or-die matches. They now have all three sides in the Women's Europa Cup, which is a big plus. Ideally, they need at least two to get past Q1, and one to survive Q2 to stand any shot at ending up finishing 24th or better. However, 28th is not yet secured either, and if they lose all their teams at the first hurdle, it could prove to be disastrous.

Lithuania and Cyprus are the other two happy campers after last week's action. They jump into the top 28, replacing Serbia and an eliminated Latvia. In fact, Gintra's success over their Baltic rivals Riga FC was one of the most significant result of the week from a UEFA women's coefficient perspective. Cyprus may have lost a team, but they are still alive in this battle, which is the most important thing.

UEFA Women's Coeffiicents 26/27: Qualifying Week 3

Serbia and Belarus lost their domestic champions, but still have their runner ups left in the UWEC. The latter have little hope of jumping a dozen places in the rankings into 28th, but they can believe. Kazakhstan are the lowest ranked nation left, but with Aktobe ending up in UWEC Q2, anything can happen.

Romania and Slovakia saw their league winners fall in their respective MT final, but can still potentially count on some bonus points in the UWEC should they both prevail in Q2. Furthermore, the Romanians have a team in Q1, where points are available. Top 24 is certainly not out of the question, but they are not safe from falling below 28th just yet.

Other countries below 28th that are still left in Europe include Finland, Kosovo, and Croatia, who move to the UWEC. The Croatians have multiple teams in Q1, which could come in handy. Albania were eliminated with both teams losing their third place matches. That means they earned no points this term, and stand a more than decent chance of ending up finishing 29th or lower.

The Women's Europa Cup will now take over this battle over the next two rounds, and will decide who claims those final 6-8 spots in the top 28, and six top 24 places. Things are more streamlined, but now it is a sprint to get past the two qualifying rounds.

Battle for 13th/17th: Swiss, Czechia Under Pressure

Next is the race for top 13/top 17, where three countries in this group managed to lose a team. One came in a vital direct battle, while another lost their domestic champion. The other saw their team be defeated by lower ranked opposition. There is now a fascinating divide here in terms of who have sides left in the UWCL, and who do not.

Belgium and Austria are just about secured top 13, and can put it beyond doubt in UWCL Q3. The latter even saw both of their UWCL teams advance from their respective mini-tournaments, which is very welcoming. That increases the chance of having a league phase club considerably. Should this happen, they can be considered clear of this battle.

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

The main pressure for 13th is now from Switzerland all the way down to Iceland. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that both the Swiss and Czechs lost a team. Keep this in mind as the season wears on. Being this high up the rankings and seeing a club be eliminated this early on is quite worrisome. It puts a considerable amount of weight on the others. The good news for both is that their champions are in UWCL Q2, ensuring at least four more games.

Outside of Poland, now one else below the top 14 have their champions left in the UWCL. Funny enough, that means only Iceland, Slovenia, and Bosnia will have teams playing in UWEC Q1. With that said, it immediately puts pressure on the trio, as they could all be eliminated from Europe. This adds some intrigue to this race.

Qualifying for the UWCL proper adds some serious weight for the race for 13th, while 17th could be close to confirmed as well depending on how UWEC Q1 goes. That is something worth following over the next two weeks of action.

Battle for Sixth/Seventh: Netherlands Have Hope

What a fascinating week it was for the battle for sixth/seventh, where the Dutch were easily the happiest of the lot.

Wins from PSV and Ajax ensured that the Netherlands are well and truly in this race for seventh with Sweden, who saw both of their sides drop to the UWEC. This gives the former a run at up to 4.666 bonus points if they are represented by their two UWCL sides in the league phase. This means it is far from over in that regard. In fact, if this does pan out, even Portugal could end up sweating a little.

Speaking of the Iberian nation, they recovered from the semi-final disappointment, with Torreense winning their third place game to remain in Europe. Sporting lost their mini-tournament final though, which is the only drag. Since Sweden cannot win any more UWCL bonus points, it has the Portuguese in a stronger position than before.

Norway have very little chance at catching up to their fellow Nordic nation, but Brann's win was welcomed as it keeps them in the hunt for an automatic UWCL place and 2.333 bonus points. Vålerenga also prevailed in their third place game, ensuring a full complement of sides going into UWEC Q1.

UWCL Q3 will be very decisive for the Dutch and, to a lesser extent, Norwegians, as it will play a role in determining how serious their chances are at passing Sweden. Three of the four also have at least one team in UWEC Q1, so pay attention on that.

Battle for Second/Third: Germany Remain Perfect

We end with the race for second/third, where Germany did what was expected and got their team into UWCL Q3.

Eintracht Frankfurt won their MT without conceding, one of just two clubs who can claim that (the other being Servette). It sets up a mouthwatering direct clash in Q3, which could be decisive in figuring out who claims third.

Spain and France will enter the fray next, knowing that sending their remaining side(s) into the UWCL proper will be vital. Neither have their position locked down, though the latter are trying to catch the former.

Italy, who are not in this battle, completed a perfect MT as well through Juventus. They join Inter in the third qualifying round.