The extra clubs currently set to qualify for the Champions League under new 2024/25 format

Next season's Champions League will see four extra teams added to the tournament, but how will UEFA's decide which teams qualify?

The group stages are beginning to take shape in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, with every side having played three games far.

In the Champions League, the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona have all enjoyed perfect starts, with their place in the knockout stage all but guaranteed.

Meanwhile, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Sociedad also sit top of their respective groups, with three matches left to play.

On the other hand, Manchester United have had a shaky start to their European campaign, losing their opening two matches against Bayern and Galatasaray.

A slender 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday kept their Champions League hopes alive, as Erik ten Hag's men look to turn their season around.

But should they manage to secure progression, it may also have an effect on the rest of the Premier League.

That is because of UEFA's brand new coefficient table, which is constantly changing after every European result.

The table ranks every country's performance in European tournaments from the last five seasons, with points awarded for draws and victories.

While there is a bonus point system depending on how deep a team goes in the competition, which helps decide which clubs will be added to next season's Champions League.

With the tournament set to increase to 36 teams instead of 32 next year, two places will go to the best-performing leagues in Europe this season.

So far, Belgium and Turkey are leading the way due to playing several more qualifiers than anybody else.

However, those clubs are unlikely to go too much further in Europe, while United have the chance to beat Turkish giants Galatasaray in their second round tie next month.

The club that finishes third in their league ranked fifth in the UEFA coefficient, will also be awarded a place. The Netherlands, France and Portugal look most likely to battle it out for that spot.

The final place will be reserved for league champions outside of Europe's top 10 divisions, who must play against each other to determine who qualifies for the tournament. Four teams previously qualified in this way, but from next season it will be five.

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Topics: Champions League, Football, Manchester United, Galatasaray, Turkish Super Lig

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno