Belgium at the top of the UEFA rankings, but the Portuguese challenge persists

In the corridors of Club Brugge's stadium, Belgium remains very well placed in the UEFA coefficient rankings.

Our country currently occupies seventh place and enjoys a comfortable lead over the Netherlands.

This week will, however, be very important again.

Portugal remains primarily a major competitor in the fight for the highly coveted sixth place.

After the European matches of October 22, Belgium has 62,450 points.

Portugal has 67,350, which allows it to occupy sixth place.

The Netherlands are in eighth position with 55,395 points.

The gap with the northern neighbours therefore amounts to a comfortable total of 7,055 points.

Belgium still needs to make up 4,900 points of deficit against Portugal.

Main challenge and stakes

This clearly shows where the main challenge for the Belgian representatives lies in the coming months.

This season, Club Brugge has so far made the biggest contribution to the coefficient.

The reigning Belgian champion has already collected 2,000 points this season for the Belgian total.

Together, the Belgian clubs total 6,800 points.

Belgian clubs will have the opportunity, in the weeks and months ahead, to add many points to the total.

Each win and each draw can be important.

The UEFA ranking indeed determines the number of European tickets allocated to a country as well as the round at which clubs can — or rather must — start their European campaign.

For Belgium, the sixth place in this UEFA ranking would be particularly attractive.

This position can allow a more favorable distribution of European tickets, with more opportunities to enter directly into the Champions League group stage.

It represents not only additional sporting opportunities, but also considerable financial benefits.

A direct participation in the Champions League indeed guarantees significant revenue for the clubs.

Contributions of Belgian clubs

It is striking to note that Belgium has again outpaced the Netherlands in recent weeks.

Northern neighbours have benefited from solid European campaigns in recent years, but have meanwhile seen a particularly successful season disappear from their five‑year calculation.

Belgian clubs have also shown a certain consistency in recent years.

In the 2022‑2023 season, Belgium collected 14,200 points, then 14,400 a year later and even 15,650 in 2024‑2025.

Last season, Belgium finished with 11,400 points.

Even though this total was lower than those of previous campaigns, it remained an important contribution to the five‑year total.

The upcoming European matchdays will be important for the ranking.

Belgium benefits from the fact that its five representatives are still competing in Europe.

This offers possibilities to further improve the coefficient, both thanks to match results and to potential bonus points.

The mission of Club Brugge, Union, Anderlecht, La Gantoise and Saint‑Trond is therefore clear: to rack up as many European points as possible.