Which countries are set to win extra Champions League places?
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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.
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What does the current table look like?
Arsenal beat Bayern Munich to move three points clear at the top of the Champions League table
England extended their lead over Germany at the top of the race for extra Champions League places on Wednesday, despite a second consecutive night of one victory and two losses for the three English clubs in the competition.
Arsenal's win over Bayern Munich saw England move almost a full point clear of Germany, with the latter not taking any points on Wednesday after Eintracht Frankfurt also lost 3-0 to Atalanta.
Atalanta's victory helped Italy close in on the top two, while Spain moved level on points with Italy after Atletico Madrid beat Inter Milan and Real Madrid were victorious at Olympiakos.
Sporting's win over Club Brugge kept Portugal in fifth. Cyprus remain sixth after Pafos came from behind to draw with Monaco.
Denmark climbed from eighth to seventh as Copenhagen beat Kairat Almaty. That result saw Poland move one place in the opposite direction.
France and Belgium remain ninth and tenth respectively. Paris St-Germain's win over Tottenham earned them points, as well as Monaco's drew in Cyprus.
Current top 10 in race for 2026-27 EPS spots:
England 10.388 (9/9 clubs remaining)
Germany 9.428 (7/7 clubs remaining)
Italy 9.000 (7/7 clubs remaining)
Spain 9.000 (8/8 clubs remaining)
Portugal 8.800 (4/5 clubs remaining)
Cyprus 8.500 (3/4 clubs remaining)
Denmark 8.125 (2/4 clubs remaining) (up one)
Poland 7.875 (4/4 clubs remaining) (down one)
France 7.357 (7/7 clubs remaining)
Belgium 6.500 (3/5 clubs remaining)
Thanks to Nige in Morpeth for the question.
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