La Liga’s Potential Record: 9 Teams in European Competitions

Spain’s top football division, La Liga, could potentially have up to nine teams participating in various UEFA competitions in the upcoming season. This unprecedented scenario would mean that almost half of the league’s teams would start their campaign in European tournaments.

The best-case scenario includes six teams qualifying for the Champions League, three for the Europa League, and one for the Conference League. Here’s how this could unfold:

Champions League Qualification

Currently, Spain is set to send five teams to the Champions League due to its improved UEFA ranking. A sixth team could join if Athletic Club wins the Europa League and finishes outside the top four in La Liga. However, with Athletic Club likely to secure a top-four spot, Spain will probably have five Champions League participants.

Europa League and Conference League Spots

For Spain to have three Europa League spots, Real Betis must win the current Conference League and finish outside European qualification places in La Liga. The remaining two spots are determined by league position and the Copa del Rey winner.

The Conference League spot typically goes to the next best-placed team in the league not already qualified for European competition.

The Unlikely Scenario of Nine Teams

While highly improbable, Spain could theoretically send nine teams to Europe if:
1. Spain finishes in the top two of the UEFA ranking
2. Athletic Club wins Europa League but finishes outside the top five
3. Real Betis wins Conference League but finishes outside the top seven

In reality, with Athletic Club likely to qualify for Champions League through their league position, the possibility of nine Spanish teams in Europe is remote. However, eight teams remain a realistic possibility.

As the season progresses, it will become clearer how many Spanish teams will represent La Liga in European competitions next year, potentially setting a new record for the league’s European representation.