The Coefficient Cliff Edge - 2025/26 Edition

Detailed explainer of where Scotland stands in the rankings and the effect that has on future seasons

For a detailed explanation of every aspect of the UEFA coefficient and how it works, grab a coffee and read through my previous article. If you already understand the coefficient and instead just want an update on where Scotland’s Coefficient stands heading into the new season - this article has you covered.

A reminder that for the country coefficient, it’s the same number of coefficient points on offer in all three UEFA competitions (Champions, Europa and Conference League).

• 2 points for a win

• 1 point for a draw

  • Points are halved in qualifying (1 point for a win & 0.5 for a draw, added to the country coefficient only - no club coefficient points for qualifying rounds)

These points are then divided by the number of teams your country entered into Europe (five for Scotland). Further bonus points are on offer for finishing 24th or above in each of the three tournaments, while there are 6 bonus points guaranteed just for qualifying for the Champions League.

I will now show Scotland’s position in the rankings, across four different seasons - and what effect each finishing position has on our European entry points. I will also explain the value of the club coefficient - especially for Rangers and Celtic.

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END OF THREE SEASONS AGO (22/23)
FINISHED 9TH

Affected qualifiers last summer