UEFA reveal scenario that could see seven Premier League teams qualify for Champions League

March 24, 2026 Oliver Obel

The fight for European places in the Premier League is becoming increasingly congested, and an unusual set of circumstances could yet open the door to the Champions League for clubs outside the traditional elite.

With seven matches remaining, Brentford and Everton sit sixth and seventh respectively, just three points behind Liverpool in fifth. That position is expected to be enough for Champions League qualification due to England’s strong UEFA coefficient ranking this season.

But the race extends well beyond those two sides. Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Sunderland are all within touching distance, with only seven points separating fifth from 13th.

How England could send up to seven teams

UEFA’s competition rules leave open a complex though unlikely scenario in which as many as seven English clubs could qualify for next season’s Champions League.

England has effectively secured an additional place via the European Performance Spot (EPS), which is awarded based on collective results in UEFA competitions. That means a top-five league finish should be sufficient for qualification.

According to UEFA regulations, if the club awarded the EPS also qualifies for the Champions League through another route, its place can be reallocated to the next eligible team in the domestic standings.

In simple terms, this creates the potential for qualification to pass further down the table but only under specific overlapping conditions.

Why Liverpool and Aston Villa matter

One pathway involves Liverpool. If they were to win this season’s Champions League and also finish in a position that overlaps with the EPS allocation, it could trigger a reallocation of places.

A similar situation could arise with Aston Villa if they win the Europa League, which grants automatic Champions League entry. If that overlaps with their league position, it could push qualification further down the table.

However, these scenarios depend on multiple factors aligning and remain far from guaranteed.

Villa are currently fourth, five points clear of Liverpool, while they are among the stronger contenders in the Europa League. Liverpool, meanwhile, face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.

A realistic opportunity or just a mathematical one?

While the possibility of seven English teams qualifying exists within UEFA’s rules, it would require a rare combination of European success and league positioning.

Still, with the table so tightly packed, even a small shift in results could keep clubs like Brentford and Everton in contention far longer than expected.

Sources: UEFA competition regulations, Premier League standings