# Merci Marseille ... France's UEFA coefficient falls after European defeats

> French clubs' defeats in the Europa League and Champions League cost France about a hundred UEFA coefficient points, despite recent Paris Saint-Germain wins.

- Source : https://www.psg-news.com/en/article/france-s-uefa-coefficient-slips-after-european-defeats
- Published on : 2026-10-23T07:40:40+00:00
- Modified : 2026-10-23T07:40:49+00:00
- Lang : en
- Publisher : PSG News (https://www.psg-news.com/)
- Tags : psg, lyon, olympique de marseille, champions league
- Other languages : fr: https://www.psg-news.com/article/le-coefficient-uefa-de-la-france-recule-apres-des-revers-en-coupes-d-europe
- Photo : Bernard Ddd, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stade_V%C3%A9lodrome_closeup.jpg

## Key takeaways

- France lost about a hundred UEFA coefficient points after several European defeats in October 2026.
- The gap with Portugal narrowed from 3.746 points (70,296 vs 66,550) to 3.660 points (71,010 vs 67,350).
- Lyon 0-3 Hoffenheim and Marseille 0-1 Sturm Graz occurred in the same period.
- PSG won all three of its Champions League group matches, including 4-2 wins on 14 October 2026 at Manchester City and on 20 October 2026 against Barcelona.
- France remains guaranteed seven representatives next season but must protect its lead over Portugal to keep that number long-term.

## Unfavorable continental outlook for France
The European week was overall negative for French clubs. Two defeats in the Europa League, Olympique Lyonnais losing 0-3 at Hoffenheim and [Olympique de Marseille](/en/tag/olympique%20de%20marseille) losing 0-1 on Sturm Graz's soil, join other mixed results. Stade Rennais earned a draw in Turin against Juventus, and AS Monaco posted a clear victory in the Conference League against Fribourg.

## A numerical impact on the coefficient
All results led to a loss of about one hundred UEFA coefficient points for France. The gap with Portugal narrowed: last week the difference was 3.746 points (70.296 vs 66.550); it is now 3.660 points (71.010 vs 67.350). These figures highlight the fragility of the French lead in the race for European spots in the coming seasons.

## PSG as the sole source of positive points
Paris Saint-Germain, unbeaten in this [Champions League](/en/tag/champions%20league) group phase, contributed a significant share of the positive points. [PSG](/en/tag/psg) won all three of its Champions League matches: Wednesday, 14 October 2026, a 4-2 victory at Manchester City (goals: Désiré Doué 13', Ousmane Dembélé 15', Vitinha 32', Maghnes Akliouche 62'; City: Erling Haaland 53', 75'); Tuesday, 20 October 2026, a 4-2 win against Barcelona at the Parc des Princes (PSG scorers: Désiré Doué 38', Lucas Hernández 72', Vitinha 81', Fabián Ruiz 86'; Barcelona: Xavi Espart 55', Lamine Yamal 79'); and, domestically, Ligue 1 wins on 10, 17 and 20 October 2026.

These PSG performances limit the damage for France, but they do not fully offset the underperformances of other clubs: four continental defeats this week versus two wins and one draw for the French representatives.

## Sporting stakes and immediate calendars
The loss of ground in the coefficient raises the risk for the medium-term distribution of European berths: France remains assured of seven representatives next season, but the battle to avoid losing a place in the 2028-2029 season requires further success in European cups. PSG's schedule notably includes Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, a match where additional European points can be earned.

Notable scorers and highlights (selected):
- 14 October 2026: Manchester City 2-4 Paris Saint-Germain — PSG scorers: Désiré Doué 13', Ousmane Dembélé 15', Vitinha 32', Maghnes Akliouche 62'.
- 20 October 2026: Paris Saint-Germain 4-2 Barcelona — PSG scorers: Désiré Doué 38', Lucas Hernández 72', Vitinha 81', Fabián Ruiz 86'.
- Notable defeats in Europa League: Olympique Lyonnais 0-3 Hoffenheim, Olympique de Marseille 0-1 Sturm Graz.

## Your questions, our answers

**Q: Which defeats weighed on France's UEFA coefficient?**

A: Olympique Lyonnais's 0-3 loss at Hoffenheim and Olympique de Marseille's 0-1 loss at Sturm Graz, among other unfavorable results.

**Q: What is France's new margin over Portugal in the UEFA coefficient?**

A: The gap stands at 3.660 points, i.e. 71.010 for France versus 67.350 for Portugal.

**Q: Did PSG limit the damage to the French coefficient?**

A: Yes: PSG won its three Champions League group matches, including 4-2 on 14 October 2026 at Manchester City and 4-2 on 20 October 2026 against Barcelona.


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