Which countries are set to win extra Champions League places?

England and Germany are currently in line 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 has handed an extra qualifying place to each of the two best-performing nations in the previous season.

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Using Uefa’s association rankings – in which 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.

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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.

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.

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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 continued to add points to their strong position at the top of the face following a win for Nottingham Forest at Fenerbahce and Crystal Palace’s draw against Zrinjski Mostar.

A 4-1 win for Stuttgart at Celtic meant Germany took the maximum points on offer on Thursday, keeping them in second.

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No Portuguese clubs were in action on Thursday, keeping them in third. Spain remain fourth following Celta Vigo’s 2-1 victory.

Fiorentina’s 3-0 victory on the road means Italy took maximum points and kept hold of fifth spot.

Poland moved up one place to overtake France in sixth place. Lech Poznan’s win at KuPS meant they took some points, despite Jagiellonia Białystok losing to Fiorentina.

Lille suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Crvena Zvezda, meaning France did not add to their points total.

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A 2-2 draw for Panathinaikos against Viktoria Plzen was enough to keep Greece in eighth place, while Cyprus and Denmark remain on the same points in ninth and tenth.

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

1. England 21.513 (9/9 clubs remaining)

2. Germany 17.071 (6/7 clubs remaining)

3. Portugal 16.600 (4/5 clubs remaining)

4. Spain 16.156 (6/8 clubs remaining)

5. Italy 16.071 (6/7 clubs remaining)

6. Poland 14.125 (3/4 clubs remaining)

7. France 14.035 (5/7 clubs remaining)

8. Greece 12.300 (4/5 clubs remaining)

9. Cyprus 11.906 (2/4 clubs remaining)

10. Denmark 11.750 (1/4 clubs remaining)

Thanks to Nige in Morpeth for the question.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.

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