The conclusion of the Champions League and Europa League group stages has reshuffled the UEFA country coefficient rankings for the 2024/25 season, with significant implications for the number of Champions League spots allocated to each nation. Spain has now overtaken Italy in this crucial ranking, potentially impacting Italy’s chances of securing a fifth Champions League berth for the upcoming season.
The UEFA country coefficient, which determines the number of European competition slots for each nation, has seen some notable changes following the latest round of matches. England currently leads the rankings, followed closely by Spain, which has now edged ahead of Italy. This shift occurred on Thursday, February 13, 2025, after the Europa League and Conference League matches.
The race for additional Champions League spots is particularly intense, as the top two nations in the coefficient rankings will be awarded an extra Champions League place. This means the fifth-placed team in their domestic leagues could qualify for Europe’s premier club competition, similar to Bologna’s unexpected qualification just a few months ago.
As it stands, the current UEFA seasonal ranking for 2024/2025 is as follows:
1. England: 20.892 points (7 out of 7 teams still in European competitions)
2. Spain: 18.034 points (6 out of 7 teams remaining)
3. Italy: 17.687 points (7 out of 8 teams still competing)
4. Germany: 15.421 points (5 out of 8 teams left)
5. Portugal: 15.350 points (4 out of 5 teams remaining)
The rankings continue with France, Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, and Sweden rounding out the top 10.
Italy’s position is precarious, with Spain’s recent overtaking potentially jeopardizing their chances of securing that coveted fifth Champions League spot. However, with seven Italian teams still active in European competitions, there’s ample opportunity to regain ground in the upcoming knockout stages.
It’s worth noting that these rankings are still subject to change as the European competitions progress through their elimination phases. The performance of each nation’s clubs in the latter stages of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League will be crucial in determining the final coefficient standings and, consequently, the allocation of European spots for the 2025/26 season.
