Previously, the Norwegian posed a serious threat There will be Glimtwhich had a higher rating than Shakhtar. However, Bude-Glimt only finished second in the 2025 Norwegian Championship, losing the title to Viking. This eliminates one of the miners’ competitors and increases the chances of the Ukrainian club.
Miner (44,000) is the fourth among applicants for a direct ticket to the base of the Champions League. Thanks to the victory over Shamrock Rovers (2:1) in the 4th round of the Conference League, the miners caught up (and surpassed last season’s coefficient) in the club rating of Dinamo Zagreb (44.000) and RB Salzburg (44.000). Three clubs are above: Rangers (59,250), Olympiakos (54,500) and Copenhagen (51,375).
The threat from Rangers (4th in Scotland) and Copenhagen (4th in Denmark) reduces their position in the national championships. Olympiakos, leading in Greece, remains the main competitor of the Miners in the race for a place in the league round of the Champions League.
A vacant seat may appear at the base of the 2026/27 Champions League if the winner of the Champions League gets a ticket through the national championship. In case rebalancing if Shakhtar wins the UPL and overtakes Olympiakos in the club ranking (or the club from Piraeus does not become the champion), the Donetsk team will receive a direct place in the main stage of the Champions League. If the Greeks are higher in the ranking and take the vacant place, Shakhtar can go to the 4th qualifying round of the Champions League instead of Q2.
The key task of the miners in the rating is to maintain their positions relative to such teams as Dinamo Zagreb, RB Salzburg, PAOK, Ferencvaros, Karabakh, Celtic, Crvena Zvezda. Shakhtar’s potential victory in the national championship and successful performances in the Conference League could secure the Orange and Black a ticket to the main round of the 2026/27 Champions League without qualifying.
The Donetsk club remains among the favorites in the race for a direct ticket to the main stage of the Champions League. We carefully monitor several factors: Shakhtar’s leadership in the UPL, the position of competing clubs in national championships and coefficients in the UEFA club rating.
Candidates for a direct ticket to the main stage of the Champions League 2026/27
(in the event that the place reserved for the winner of the Champions League title becomes vacant).
UEFA club rating
Leaders in the Conference League standings
Source: sport.ua