Israeli Football Teams Boost UEFA Ranking With Strong European Qualifiers Performance

The recent week of European football qualifiers proved successful for Israeli teams, positively impacting the country's UEFA coefficient ranking. Despite Beitar Jerusalem's elimination from the Conference League, Israeli clubs collectively earned 0.750 points this week, raising the total to 23.375 points and securing Israel the 24th position in the rankings as of August 14, 2026. This season alone, Israeli teams have accumulated 2.625 points, nearly matching last season's total of 2.875.

Each win in the qualifying rounds grants 0.250 points, while draws yield 0.125 points. Israel's ultimate goal is to reach 15th place, which would allow two teams to enter the Champions League qualifiers, but with Cyprus holding a lead of over 10 points, this remains a distant target. A more realistic aim is to break into 23rd place or higher, which would enable the Israeli Premier League champion to enter the second qualifying round of the Champions League instead of the first.

Currently, Israel has three teams remaining in European competitions, with a narrow gap of less than one point behind Ukraine, ranked 23rd, which has only one representative left. Romania, ranked 22nd with 24.750 points, also has a single team remaining, giving Israel a strong chance to climb at least one spot.

Looking ahead, if Hapoel Tel Aviv is eliminated by Atalanta, the roles of Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Maccabi Tel Aviv become crucial. Be'er Sheva faces Sabah in the Champions League playoff round, offering a chance to add points, though advancing to the group stage could reduce their ability to earn points against stronger European teams. Maccabi Tel Aviv will play Lugano in the Conference League playoff, and a victory there could lead to more points in the group stage against relatively easier opponents. These outcomes will significantly influence Israel's UEFA ranking trajectory this season.