League path
The league path is the qualifying route for clubs that are not champions of their leagues, drawn mainly from the stronger associations. It runs alongside the champions path and gives those clubs a way into the competition.
Why it matters
It matters because it widens the field. The strongest leagues place several clubs in the competition, and the league path is the route through which the non-champions among them can qualify for the league phase.
Where it is used
It is used in the qualifying rounds. The clubs in the league path compete among themselves for places in the league phase, separate from the champions path, and their entry depends on their domestic finish and their country's ranking.
How to read it
Read the league path as the route for the strong leagues' non-champions. It reflects the depth of a league, giving a country several chances to place clubs in the competition beyond its title winners.
What it means
the qualifying route for non-champions from the strongest leagues
League path is one of the working terms of the competition. This entry explains it as a mechanism that holds true from season to season, so it can be read on its own or alongside the other entries in the glossary of the tournament.
- The qualifying route for non-champions.
- Drawn mainly from the stronger leagues.
- Runs alongside the champions path.
- Widens the field of the competition.
- Entry depends on finish and country ranking.
- Reflects the depth of a league.