The UEFA coefficient is a bit like a goldmine for the various leagues. Clubs in each country must perform well to maintain their top positions. France has struggled in Europe several times, but managed to climb to 5th place at the end of the 2023-2024 season, thus securing seven European qualification spots (four for the Champions League, including three direct qualification spots, two for the Europa League, and one for the Europa Conference League). The objective was to at least maintain this ranking at the end of the 2025-2026 season, or even catch up with Germany. This week’s results are rather poor.
The top 10 in the UEFA coefficient by country (over the last five seasons, including the current one).
Source: UEFA official website.
Indeed, France is coming off a very difficult week. However, in the Champions League, PSG performed well with a 3-0 victory against Chelsea and qualification for the quarterfinals. Their record in the Europa League is the opposite: defeats for Olympique Lyonnais and Lille against Celta Vigo and Aston Villa (2-0 each time) meant elimination. Strasbourg remains in the Conference Europa League, though. Their qualification against Rijeka was secured with a 1-1 draw in the second leg after a 2-1 victory in the first leg.
With few points accumulated this week and fewer opportunities for the future, it will be difficult to catch up with Germany and its three clubs: Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Freiburg in the Europa League, and Mainz in the Conference Europa League. The latter will face Strasbourg in a crucial match.
Portugal also needs to be monitored, especially as Braga and Porto have advanced to the Europa League quarterfinals (with victories against Ferencváros and Stuttgart, respectively). The 2021-2022 season will no longer count next season, even though it favored France; the gap will narrow. We shouldn’t delay.
