Belgium rises in UEFA ranking thanks to strong performances of clubs in Europe

Following the excellent performances of Belgian clubs in the group stages of the European football competitions, Belgium secured a spot in the new Champions League from the 2024-2025 season onward. 

Belgian teams delivered their strongest European performances in years. On Thursday, Gent and Anderlecht secured an extended stay in the Conference League. Club Brugge made history earlier with its qualification for the second round of the Champions League. As the group winner, Union goes straight to the eighth-finals in the Europa League.

Next season, for the first time in years, the Belgian national champions are not directly qualified for the Champions League group stage. Belgium dropped to 13th place in the UEFA country ranking at the end of last season. The ten best nations are guaranteed a ticket to the European competition. But thanks to recent results, Belgium is ensured of the 8th spot in the UEFA ranking.

In the 2023-2024 season of the Champions League, the Serbian and Ukrainian champions will take part in the group stage, while the Belgian champion will have to survive the playoffs.

(TOM)

^{© Club Brugge's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER}