Spain’s La Liga might have an unprecedented 10 teams qualify for UEFA competitions next season. This would mean half of the league’s participants would be competing in European tournaments, a truly historic event. What needs to happen for this to become a reality?
The Spanish league could potentially send up to 10 of its teams to various UEFA competitions next season. In the best-case scenario, this could include six teams in the Champions League, three in the Europa League, and one in the Conference League.
Six Teams in the Champions League
Currently, Spanish football is on track to have five teams in the next Champions League. By surpassing Italy in the UEFA rankings, Spain’s league, if it maintains its second-place ranking by the end of the current season, would secure five Champions League spots. But how could it reach six?
There is a possibility for a sixth team to enter the Champions League. For this to happen, Real Sociedad or Athletic Club would need to win the UEFA Europa League and finish outside the top four in La Liga. If either team wins the Europa League and finishes in the top four, Spain would lose the extra spot, as league qualification takes priority. With Athletic Club almost guaranteed a top-four finish, the scenario depends on Real Sociedad winning the Europa League while finishing outside the top 4.
Three Teams in the Europa League
For Spain to have three teams in the Europa League, Betis must win the current Europa Conference League and finish outside the European qualification spots in La Liga. If Betis wins the Conference League and also qualifies for Europe through their league position, Spain would lose the extra Europa League spot, as league qualification is prioritized.
10 Teams in UEFA Competitions
There is a slim chance that Spain could have ten teams in Europe next season. Here are the conditions:
- Spain must remain in the top two of the UEFA ranking, which would grant Champions League qualification to the top five teams in La Liga.
- Real Sociedad must win the Europa League and finish outside the top seven in La Liga. The Europa League winner qualifies for the next Champions League, provided they haven’t already qualified through their league position.
- Real Betis must win the Europa Conference League and finish outside the top seven in La Liga. The Conference League winner qualifies for the next Europa League, provided they haven’t already qualified through their league position.
If all these scenarios occur, the following would happen:
- The top five finishers in La Liga would qualify for the Champions League.
- The sixth and seventh-place finishers would qualify for the Europa League.
- Real Sociedad would qualify for the Champions League as Europa League champions.
- Real Betis would qualify for the Europa League as Europa Conference League champions.
- The next best-placed team would qualify for the Conference League.
This is the most realistic option:
We will see how many national teams qualify for Europe next season.