Netherlands drops to 7th in UEFA Rankings, losing second direct Champions League spot
The Netherlands has definitively lost sixth place on the UEFA coefficient rankings to Portugal. This means that the Eredivisie will no longer be guaranteed two direct Champions League spots starting in the 2027/28 season.
The number of European spots allocated to each country is determined by UEFA’s coefficient rankings, which take into account club performances in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League over a five‑season period.
Starting in the 2027/28 season, the Eredivisie will lose its second direct Champions League spot. Only the league champion will advance straight to the group stage, while the team finishing second must earn its place through the qualifying rounds.
Dutch football will have one fewer team in European competitions, reducing the total number of clubs from six to five. Besides the direct Champions League spot for the Eredivisie champion, Dutch clubs will be allocated one Europa League group stage place, one Europa League qualifying spot, and one spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
The setback comes as a result of poor performances by the Dutch sides in Europe. PSV and Ajax were knocked out in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, with the two sides winning four games out of a possible 16.
The Europa League sides did even worse. Feyenoord and Go Ahead Eagles were knocked out of the league phase with two wins each, while Utrecht failed to win a single game. AZ is still involved in the UEFA Conference League, defeating Sparta Prague in the first leg of their last 16 tie with the Czech side on Thursday evening.
Portugal has had a successful season in Europe. SL Benfica and Sporting CP advanced in the Champions League, and FC Porto and Braga are also still in the Europa League.
For the 2026/27 season, nothing will change: both the Eredivisie champion and the runner-up will continue to qualify directly for the Champions League group stage.
Portugal has established a comfortable advantage in the rankings. It occupies 6th place with a coefficient near 69.266, leaving the Netherlands in 7th with roughly 67.012 points.
The Netherlands must also be mindful of the teams below it, as Belgium currently holds 8th place with 61.850 points and is outperforming Dutch clubs so far this season.
