Netherlands lags on coefficient list as clubs fail in Europe

While the UEFA coefficient list still leaves the Netherlands in eighth place, the recent European matches of the Eredivisie clubs have not produced any victories. PSV lost on Tuesday at RB Leipzig in the Champions League, and Feyenoord fell to Barcelona, meaning no points can be added.

Results that do not improve the ranking

PSV's defeat to RB Leipzig was the fifth match of the competition phase, but did not yield a win. Earlier in the same phase PSV drew with Shakhtar Donetsk. In the Champions League Feyenoord lost to Barcelona, while AZ and NEC lost in the Europa League respectively to Sunderland and Juventus.

Implications for the Dutch coefficients

Because of these results the Eredivisie cannot add any points to the ranking that determines how many European tickets each country receives. Based on the 2022‑27 period, which sets the starting slots for 2028/29, the Netherlands is firmly in eighth place, with a huge gap behind Portugal and Belgium.

Future opportunities and possible risks

The KNVB Cup winner of 2028 must, if the Eredivisie remains eighth after this season, enter the Europa League play‑offs. The current package for 2027/28 remains unchanged: one ticket for the Champions League, one place in the preliminary round of the Billion Ball, one slot in the second preliminary round of the Europa League and one place in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.

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Only when the Eredivisie drops to eleventh place does a real problem arise. In the current cycle that seems unlikely, but in the 2023‑28 period the Eredivisie is in ninth place, just one point ahead of eleventh‑place Czech Republic, which also took a hit on Tuesday when Slavia Prague lost to Sabah.

The coming week still offers five opportunities: on Wednesday Feyenoord hosts Como in the Champions League, followed by Europa and Conference League fixtures. AZ meets Hapoel Be’er Sheva, NEC plays at home against Levski Sofia, Ajax visits Hajduk Split and FC Twente duels with FC Thun in Enschede.

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