Portugal edges closer to overtaking the Netherlands for sixth in the UEFA coefficient rankings ahead of final European matchweeks
Portugal are closing in on the Netherlands in the battle for sixth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings, setting up a tense final stretch of Champions League and Europa League fixtures that could reshape the access list for clubs next season. As it stands, the Dutch hold the advantage, but strong performances by Portuguese clubs have narrowed the gap ahead of the final UEFA matchdays.
The association ranking is important because it affects how many club places each country gets in future UEFA competitions, and in what rounds those clubs enter. Sixth place is particularly sought after because it can secure additional European spots or more favourable starts in competition qualifiers.
For Portugal, it means the potential for all three of its historic giants to compete simultaneously in the Champions League again.
Currently, the Netherlands sit in sixth place in the country coefficient table while Portugal are right behind – only around 0.7 points adrift entering the final rounds of Champions League and Europa League action.
Portugal’s teams have been picking up valuable results in both competitions, contrasting with a less productive period for several Dutch sides.
The scenarios in the race for 6th spot
For Portugal to overtake the Netherlands and move into sixth place, the key factors will be:
- Portuguese clubs need strong results in their remaining European fixtures, particularly Sporting CP in the Champions League and FC Porto and Braga in the Europa League. Wins and draws in these matches add coefficient points that are averaged across the number of clubs participating.
- Dutch clubs must avoid significant point gains in their final matches. The Netherlands currently have several sides still in competition, but many are in precarious positions, such as the already-eliminated FC Utrecht who travel to face Celtic on Thursday. Continued poor results would likely see their point total stagnate or fall relative to Portugal’s.
- Because the coefficient system divides total points by the number of clubs a country has in Europe, Portugal benefits from having fewer clubs still active; each result has a slightly bigger impact on its overall average.
If Portugal’s teams can keep up their progress and collect enough wins or draws – and if Dutch clubs fail to secure positive results – Portugal can mathematically leapfrog the Netherlands by the end of the current European campaigns.
🔢 Under-reported thing last week was 🇵🇹 Sporting CP overtaking 🇧🇪 Club Brugge, 🇳🇱 PSV, 🇳🇱 Feyenoord in club coefficient.
This puts 🇵🇹 Sporting in an amazing position to qualify for 🔵 UCL directly even if they finish 2nd in 🇵🇹 Liga Portugal.
If 🟠 UEL is won by a team that… pic.twitter.com/429VZXHaHh
— Football Meets Data (@fmeetsdata) January 26, 2026
Why 6th place matters
Finishing sixth in the UEFA coefficient rankings doesn’t just provide bragging rights; it also relates to how many teams and at which stages they enter UEFA club competitions in upcoming seasons. Higher-ranked associations typically secure more direct group‑stage places or favourable qualifying paths, while lower‑ranked ones may see clubs start earlier in qualifiers or miss out on some competitions entirely.
For Portugal, climbing to sixth would reinforce the strength of Liga Portugal clubs on the continent and secure improved opportunities in future Champions League and Europa League campaigns. For the Netherlands, holding onto sixth will require better results than their rivals in the remaining fixture to maintain that advantage.
Three teams in the Champions League again
The last time that Portugal had three teams in the group stage of the Champions League was 2023/24, when Benfica, Porto and Braga all too part. As the qualification spots for 2025/26 are already locked in based on the rankings at the end of last season, any changes in the coming months would affect the 2027/28 season.
On Wednesday, Benfica host Real Madrid, which will be a tough ask to pick up any points, but the Eagles need a result to have any chance of staying in the competitions. Meanwhile, Sporting CP travel to Athletic Club where a win could secure a top-eight spot and automatic last 16 qualification.
Staying in the Champions League, Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven host Bayern Munich knowing that defeat could see them drop out of the play-offs. Ajax, on the other hand, will need to beat Olympiacos at home to have any chance of reaching the play-offs.
As the final European gameweek approaches, the coefficient race looks set to remain a compelling subplot to the on‑field action.