Italy challenge England and Portugal for fifth Champions League spot in 2025 | OneFootball

Italy are once again competing for an additional spot in the Champions League for the 2025-26 campaign, but face stiff competition from England and Portugal and also Spain and Belgium after the latest UEFA Coefficient update.

The two highest-ranked national associations on the UEFA Coefficient list will gain an extra spot in the 2025-26 edition of the Champions League. Italy and Germany finished in the top two last season, which is why there are currently five teams (Inter, Milan, Juventus, Atalanta and Bologna) competing in the current tournament.

How are UEFA Coefficient points calculated?

The Champions League trophy (EPA-EFE/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT)

Each individual team earns two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

There are also bonus points for the teams’ eventual standing in the table, ranging from a maximum 12 points to the lowest bonus of 0.125.

Every team from the same nation then have their scores added together and divided to find an average, which determines the UEFA Coefficient ranking.

Where do Italy stand in the race for an extra Champions League spot?

Following the latest update to the UEFA Coefficient rankings on January 6, Italy are currently in third place, just behind Portugal in second and England in first.

Inter Milan’s players celebrate the 1-0 goal during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Inter and Arsenal FC at Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 06 November 2024. EPA-EFE/NICOLA MARFISI

UEFA’s current table has England out in front with an average points total of 13.5, Portugal in second with 12.45 and Italy in third with 11.67.

Spain currently sit in fourth with an average of 11 points, Belgium are in fifth with 10.9, while Germany are currently in sixth with 10.375.