Crystal Palace have officially booked their place in the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League after emerging victorious in this season’s FA Cup, significantly altering the European qualification landscape for Premier League clubs.
The Eagles’ historic 1-0 triumph over Manchester City at Wembley not only earned them silverware but also a direct ticket to Europe’s second-tier competition. The result means that several mid-table Premier League clubs—namely Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth, and Fulham—have been ruled out of contention for European football next season.
FA Cup Glory Seals Palace’s Return to Europe
Palace’s victory, sealed by Eberechi Eze’s first-half strike and a heroic performance from goalkeeper Dean Henderson, ensures that the South London club will compete in Europe for the first time since the 1998/99 season, when they briefly featured in the now-defunct UEFA Intertoto Cup.
The FA Cup win automatically qualifies Palace for the Europa League, replacing one of the league-allocated European slots. As per UEFA’s rules, the cup winner is granted a Europa League berth, regardless of their final position in the domestic league table.
What This Means for Premier League Qualification
Palace’s triumph has major implications for the Premier League’s European qualifiers. With one Europa League spot taken by the FA Cup winners, only the top six league finishers will now be eligible for the remaining European slots.
Under the current standings:
- Champions League spots go to the top five teams.
- The sixth-placed team will now join Crystal Palace in the Europa League.
- The seventh-placed team will head to the UEFA Conference League.
This reshuffling means that any hope Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth, or Fulham had of sneaking into Europe via the eighth position has been extinguished.
Nottingham Forest Eye Conference League Spot — Or More
The biggest beneficiaries of Palace’s FA Cup victory could be Nottingham Forest, who currently sit in seventh place with two games remaining. That position, as things stand, would send them into the UEFA Conference League — a huge achievement for a club that narrowly avoided relegation last season.
However, Forest are not content with just that. Under the guidance of manager Nuno Espírito Santo, they still have their sights set on climbing into the top five, which would guarantee a spot in the Champions League a feat that would be nothing short of extraordinary.
To make that dream a reality, Forest must win their final two league fixtures:
- Against West Ham at the City Ground
- Away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
The club’s fans are optimistic, especially given the momentum the team has built in the latter part of the campaign. Speaking ahead of their clash with West Ham, Nuno said:
“We know what’s at stake. The players are giving everything, and if we keep this level of performance, anything is possible. Our target is clear: finish as high as we can and make the Forest faithful proud.”
Tight Race Ahead of Final Matchdays
With just two rounds of Premier League action left, the battle for European football is reaching fever pitch. Several teams are still mathematically in the race to finish in the top seven, but Palace’s FA Cup win has ensured that only those finishing seventh or higher will have any continental football to look forward to next season.
This places even more pressure on clubs like Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa, all of whom are vying for limited spots in Europe.
Former England international and football pundit Gary Neville weighed in on the situation during Sky Sports’ post-match coverage of the FA Cup Final:
“Palace winning the Cup is a brilliant story. It shows how competitive English football is right now. But it also changes everything for those mid-table clubs hoping to sneak into Europe. Now, it’s a straight fight at the top. No shortcuts.”
Crystal Palace’s Historic Season
For Palace, the FA Cup triumph caps off a remarkable season under manager Oliver Glasner, who took over earlier this year after the departure of Roy Hodgson. The Austrian tactician has quickly transformed the Eagles into a disciplined, energetic unit capable of matching the Premier League’s elite.
Eberechi Eze, who scored the winning goal in the final, was full of emotion after the match.
“This is what dreams are made of. Winning the FA Cup at Wembley and knowing we’re going to Europe next season — it’s unbelievable,” Eze told BBC Sport.
Palace chairman Steve Parish praised the team’s resilience and unity:
“We’ve always believed in this group of players. They’ve shown character, heart, and real quality this season. Europe is a big step for the club, and we’re excited about what’s to come.”
What’s Next?
With their Europa League place secured, Palace will now begin preparations for a busy 2025/26 season that includes a continental campaign. Reinforcements are expected in the summer transfer window to bolster the squad depth necessary for juggling both domestic and European fixtures.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Premier League’s top 10 continue their final push, knowing that every point could make the difference between Champions League, Europa League, or missing out entirely.
As the league draws to a dramatic close, fans can expect more twists, especially with Nottingham Forest’s European dream still alive, and the top six jostling for prestige and prize money.
