Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Conference League First Phase Concludes
The Conference League is finishing its first phase.
Strasbourg is the leader and has already secured a spot in the round of 16.
Teams are ranked in a single standings format.
The top eight teams go directly to the round of 16, while teams ranked ninth to 24th will play in knockout playoffs.
The bottom 12 teams are out.
Crystal Palace, making their European debut, is in ninth place and can advance to the last 16 with a win against KuPS from Finland.
Other teams like Fiorentina, AZ Alkmaar, Celje, and AEK Larnaca also need to win their last games to advance directly.
Strasbourg has already secured a direct spot in the round of 16.
The top eight teams in the Conference League advance directly to the round of 16.
Teams ranked ninth to 24th will play in knockout playoffs in February.
Crystal Palace is in ninth place and can advance to the last 16 with a win against KuPS.
Fiorentina, AZ Alkmaar, Celje, and AEK Larnaca also need to win their last games to advance directly.
- Who
- Teams in the Conference League
- What
- Conclusion of the first phase
- When
- Thursday (sixth round)
- Where
- Various locations, including Selhurst Park for Crystal Palace
- Why
- To determine advancement to the round of 16 or knockout playoffs
- Competition
- Conference League
- Current Leader
- Strasbourg
- Top 8 Teams
- Directly to round of 16
- Teams 9-24
- Knockout playoffs in February
- Bottom 12 Teams
- Eliminated
- Crystal Palace's Position
- 9th place
- Crystal Palace's Opponent
- KuPS (Finland)
- Fiorentina's Status
- Two-time runner-up