This week, only Cercle de Bruges and La Gantoise are playing on the European stage. While for them individually, there is not much at stake, the importance for Belgian football is nevertheless very present.
Each match played by Belgian clubs in Europe has become important. For what ? Because we are rapidly making the less good seasons of the past disappear. The European coefficient is in fact calculated over the last five seasons and we have already had two excellent seasons.
This coefficient determines the number of clubs we can register in Europe and in which competitions. This week, Cercle and Ghent can therefore collect crucial points to increase this coefficient. Belgium is currently eighth, but we are still far behind Portugal and the Netherlands.
Exceptional season
However… Belgian clubs are experiencing an exceptional season for the third year in a row. And they can still significantly increase their number of points. Furthermore, this season, Belgium is provisionally fifth in terms of points won thanks to the performances of the five Belgian participants (Club Bruges, Anderlecht, Union, Ghent and Cercle).
All Belgian clubs in Europe contribute to the coefficient. Cercle de Bruges and La Gantoise can earn additional bonuses by achieving good results in the Conference League. Anderlecht still have chances in the Europa League, while Club Brugge have at least six bonus points assured in the Champions League.
No match is insignificant
Since this season, the two best-ranked countries have even received an additional place in the Champions League, which increases the stakes of each match, even for seemingly “insignificant” matches.
Belgian football has a unique opportunity from 2025-2026, as the weak seasons of the past disappear from the coefficient. We still trail two seasons at 6,000 points, but those will disappear after the 26-27 season. While competitors such as the Netherlands, Portugal and France lose more points, Belgium could move into the European top five. Optimistic but not impossible.
In 2028-2029, Belgium could secure three direct places in the Champions League, two tickets for the Europa League and one for the Conference League. This scenario requires Belgian clubs to maintain and improve their current performances over the coming seasons.
Important for the whole competition, not just the big clubs
A top five ranking would structurally strengthen the Jupiler Pro League. More European places increase the attractiveness of the competition, not only financially, but also sportingly.
To achieve this goal, Belgian clubs must take every match seriously, even if it seems unimportant. Each victory and each draw contributes to the coefficient. In Belgium, the path to success lies not only with the big clubs, but with each participating team.
These can only benefit if the big clubs become richer, because our pyramid in Belgian football has been under pressure in recent years. Smaller clubs sell their best players more easily to foreign clubs, resulting in a loss of quality each time. So it’s a win-win for everyone.
