Dutch wins deliver coefficient boost but Belgium pull further clear

Ajax, NEC and FC Twente rescued an otherwise difficult European week for the Netherlands, combining to add one full point to the country’s UEFA coefficient. Each victory was worth two points before the six-point total was divided by the six Dutch clubs that began the season in Europe.

NEC beat Omonia Nicosia 3-1 in the Europa League, while Ajax won 6-1 away to FC Midtjylland and FC Twente defeated Pafos FC 3-1 in the Conference League. Those results followed Champions League defeats for Feyenoord, who lost 3-0 at home to Inter, and PSV, beaten 2-1 by Club Brugge. AZ also went down 2-1 at home to Juventus in the Europa League.

The Netherlands remain eighth in the 2022-27 ranking with 56.395 points. Belgium strengthened seventh place by collecting 1.600 points during the week and now sit on 64.050. The Dutch did, however, slightly extend their advantage over ninth-placed Turkey, who added 0.800 and have 53.075 overall.

Attention is also turning to the 2023-28 cycle, in which the Netherlands are ninth on 42.895 points. They trail Greece, who have 45.487, but hold a 3.320-point advantage over 11th-placed Czechia. Staying in the top 10 is significant because champions from countries outside that group would generally have to enter Champions League qualifying. FCUpdate also reports that an eighth-place finish in the current cycle would mean the 2028 KNVB Cup winners entering the Europa League play-offs rather than qualifying directly for the league phase.