Manchester City will face Chelsea in the 2026 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium next month, as both clubs seek to end contrasting records in the competition’s showpiece.
Chelsea secured their place in the final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Leeds United on Sunday. Enzo Fernandez’s decisive strike ensured interim boss Calum McFarlane has the opportunity to claim silverware in what has been a turbulent campaign for the Blues.
Manchester City await after coming from behind to defeat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday evening, with Nico Gonzalez’s stunning winner sealing victory. Pep Guardiola’s side have reached a record-breaking fourth consecutive FA Cup final but carry the burden of losing their previous two finals.
City Chase Historic Treble
The Citizens are pursuing a domestic cup double having lifted the League Cup in March. They remain in contention for the Premier League title and harbour ambitions of achieving only the second domestic treble in English football history.
Guardiola’s men have enjoyed unprecedented FA Cup success under his tenure, reaching four straight finals – a feat never achieved before in the competition’s history. However, defeats to Manchester United in 2024 and Crystal Palace in 2025 have denied them the trophy in recent years.
City’s consistency at Wembley has been remarkable despite those final setbacks. They have won 14 matches at the new Wembley as a neutral venue since 2007, more than any club except Manchester City themselves (15).
Chelsea’s Final Struggles
Chelsea are aiming to end a painful sequence in FA Cup finals. The Blues lost three consecutive finals between 2020 and 2022, creating unwanted history. Their last triumph in the competition came in 2018, meaning they haven’t lifted the trophy for eight years.
McFarlane’s appointment as interim boss following Liam Rosenior’s dismissal has provided an unexpected narrative. The young coach, in his second spell as caretaker this season, now has the chance to deliver a major trophy and stake his claim for the permanent role.
Chelsea’s route to Wembley saw them overcome lower-league opposition in Charlton Athletic, Hull City, Wrexham, and Port Vale before edging past Leeds. They scored 20 FA Cup goals en route to the final – more than any other team this season.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
- Kick-off: 3:00 PM BST
How to Watch?
UK Viewers: TV: TNT Sports, HBO Max, BBC One | Live Stream: BBC iPlayer | Radio: BBC Radio 5 Live, talkSPORT
What’s at Stake?
For Manchester City, this represents another opportunity to complete their domestic trophy collection for the season and maintain their pursuit of an unprecedented treble. For Chelsea, it’s a chance to end their final hoodoo and provide a silver lining to an otherwise disappointing campaign.
The contrasting narratives – City’s dominance and Chelsea’s crisis – create a fascinating dynamic. Guardiola’s experience in finals against McFarlane’s interim status adds intrigue, while both sides carry the weight of recent final disappointments.
With City chasing history and Chelsea seeking redemption, the 2026 FA Cup final promises to be a compelling encounter at English football’s home.
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