Ukraine officially loses direct ticket to Champions League group stage after dropping in UEFA ranking. All details
Ukraine has lost its direct ticket to the Champions League group stage due to a drop in the UEFA table. In the 2026/27 season, the national champion will start the tournament from the first qualifying round, and will have to go through four opponents to reach the main stage.
Ukraine has dropped to 23rd place in the UEFA rankings, which is the lower threshold for qualifying for the Champions League. Previously, there were theoretical chances of improving its position, but after Borussia knocked out Shakhtar from European competition, they disappeared for good.
Shakhtar head coach Marino Pušić.
Now the UPL champion will have to overcome four qualifying rounds to get to the group stage of the CL. To ensure participation in at least one of the European competitions, the team will need to defeat at least two opponents.
Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.
The winner of the Ukrainian Cup (or the second team of the UPL) will start from the first qualifying round of the Europa League. Clubs which secured second and third (or third and fourth) places will start from the second qualifying round of the Conference League.
Ukraine has lost its direct ticket to the group stage of the Champions League.
Ukraine's current position in the UEFA rankings may allow it to improve its starting position due to the redistribution of places, but this is impossible to predict anythingaccurately. At the same time, the country risks falling even lower - to a 24 or 25 place, which will reduce the chances of possible easing.
Ukrainian football fans at a Champions League match.
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