Which countries are set to win extra Champions League places?

England and Germany are currently on course to win the two extra Champions League places on offer for next season's competition.

Since the start of the 2024-25 season, when the Champions League's first round expanded from 32 teams to 36, Uefa have handed an extra qualifying place to each of the two best-performing nations in the previous season.

Using Uefa's association rankings, where points are earned by winning and drawing matches in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, the two nations with the highest points get given a direct qualification each for the following season's Champions League.

Throughout the season, teams earn two points for every win and one for draws across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. There are also bonus points on offer for every round reached across the three competitions, although more points are given to teams competing in the Champions League than in the other competitions.

In the qualification rounds, these points are halved.

Points earned are then divided by how many teams from that country entered European competitions at the start of the season.

In the 2025-26 season, England have nine teams competing in Europe. That means all points are divided by nine.

Scotland started the season with five teams competing in Europe. Although Hibernian and Dundee United failed to progress out of the qualifying rounds, three teams remain - but Scotland's points are still divided by five.

For this season, England and Spain were given one extra spot each as they were the two best-performing nations across the 2024-25 campaign. That meant entry to the Champions League was given to Newcastle and Athletic Club.

For the 2024-25 season, Italy and Germany were given the two places, known as European Performances Spots (EPS). Bologna and Borussia Dortmund were the teams granted entry.

What does the current table look like?

England remain top of the race for Champions League places following Tuesday's matches, despite a disappointing night across the board.

Chelsea's 3-0 win over Barcelona strengthened their position, but Manchester City and Newcastle suffered defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Marseille to miss out on extra points.

That win for Leverkusen, as well as Borussia Dortmund's 4-0 win over Villarreal, keeps Germany second.

Italy climbed from fifth to third following wins for Napoli and Juventus, while Spain's two defeats and a draw for Athletic Club dropped them a place to fourth.

Portugal moved up a place to fifth after Benfica's win away at Ajax, a result that also contributed to Cyprus dropping two places to sixth.

Poland, Denmark and France stayed seventh, eighth and ninth, with Belgium moving into the top two following a win for Union Saint-Gilloise away at Galatasaray.

Current top 10 in race for 2026-27 EPS spots:

1. England 10.166 (9/9 clubs remaining)

2. Germany 9.428 (7/7 clubs remaining)

3. Italy 8.714 (7/7 clubs remaining)

4. Spain 8.500 (8/8 clubs remaining)

5. Portugal 8.400 (4/5 clubs remaining)

6. Cyprus 8.250 (3/4 clubs remaining)

7. Poland 7.875 (4/4 clubs remaining)

8. Denmark 7.625 (2/4 clubs remaining)

9. France 6.928 (7/7 clubs remaining)

10. Belgium 6.500 (3/5 clubs remaining)

Thanks to Nige in Morpeth for the question.

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