FA CUP ‘26: THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY

Published: 13/05/2026 | By: Alex Courbat

Saturday the 16th of May, 3pm, Wembley Stadium. Manchester City versus Chelsea. The FA Cup final. It's the kind of fixture that makes you feel slightly smug about being a football fan, because no matter what the season has thrown at you, this is the reward. This is why we watch. But before we get to what promises to be an absolutely electric afternoon under the Wembley arch, let's retrace how both clubs got there. Because the journeys couldn't be more different, and honestly, that contrast is half the story.

First thing first, Manchester City. If you want a word to describe City's FA Cup campaign this season, it's ruthless. Pep Guardiola's side have turned this competition into something of a personal fiefdom, and the numbers back it up. Since the 2016–17 season, City have won more FA Cup games than any other side (45), scored more goals (159), and kept more clean sheets (28). That's not a hot streak, that's a dynasty.

It all kicked off in the third round with a statement so loud it practically rattled the windows at the Etihad. City began their campaign with a rampant 10–1 display at home against League One side Exeter City, their biggest win since defeating Huddersfield by the same scoreline back in 1987. Ten goals. The sort of scoreline that makes opposition managers start thinking about summer holiday bookings.

A comfortable 2–0 win over Salford followed in the fourth round, before the fifth round saw City head to St James' Park and do a proper job on Newcastle. Despite an opener from Harvey Barnes, City came back through two goals from Omar Marmoush and a Savinho finish to win 3–1.

Then came the quarter-final. Liverpool at the Etihad, and did it deliver (if you’re a City fan, obviously). Erling Haaland's clinical hat-trick led Manchester City into the semi-finals for the eighth consecutive season as they defeated Liverpool 4–0. Antoine Semenyo also found the net. Haaland was a force of nature: the penalty, the thumping header, the finish off the underside of the bar. And to add a touch of theatre, James Trafford saved Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty to preserve a clean sheet. You genuinely couldn't have scripted it better.

The semi-final brought a scare against Championship side Southampton at Wembley. Despite a 79th-minute goal from Finn Azaz, City mounted a late comeback through Jérémy Doku and Nico González to win 2–1. A wobble, yes, but they found a way. They always find a way. This marked the first time any team has reached four consecutive FA Cup finals. Four in a row. Read that again.

Chelsea's cup run is a story that could only be told about Chelsea, a club that seemingly can't go five minutes without managerial drama. But before we get to the soap opera off the pitch, let's acknowledge what's happened on it, because some of this has been genuinely brilliant.

Chelsea began with a dominant 5–1 away victory over Charlton Athletic in Liam Rosenior's first match in charge, with goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernández, and a debut goal from Jorrel Hato. New manager, new start, stonking away win. Lovely stuff. The fourth round was even better, with Pedro Neto notching his first Chelsea hat-trick away to Hull City, Estêvão also contributing as the match finished 4–0.

The fifth round served up proper cup drama. Wrexham pushed Chelsea all the way, with Sam Smith and Callum Doyle scoring for the Welsh club before a late Josh Acheampong goal forced extra time. The quarter-final was a completely different story: Chelsea made light work of Port Vale, winning 7–0 at Stamford Bridge, their largest FA Cup victory since 2011, with Hato, João Pedro, Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estêvão, and Alejandro Garnacho all on the scoresheet.

Now, the semi-final. And here's where Chelsea's story gets properly compelling. On 22 April, Liam Rosenior was sacked after less than four months in charge, following five consecutive defeats without a goal, their worst run since 1912. Their worst run since 1912. Manager out. Semi-final in four days. Up stepped Calum McFarlane, the Under-21s coach turned interim boss for the second time this season, to lead the club to Wembley. A lone goal from Enzo Fernández, created brilliantly by Pedro Neto, was enough to beat Leeds United 1–0 and send Chelsea to the final. Football, eh. You just can't write it.

WHAT IT ALL MEANS FOR THE FINAL

Let's be honest about where both clubs are heading into Saturday. City have been formidable in patches but have blown hot and cold in the league, finding themselves two points behind leaders Arsenal with games running out. What we do know is that Haaland is rampaging, Doku is one of the most electric wide players in the country, and City have already won the EFL Cup this season, meaning they could become just the sixth team ever to win both major domestic cups in the same campaign. The hunger is very real. Chelsea's situation is, to put it gently, far from ideal. But the talent is truly undeniable. Palmer, Fernández, Neto, Garnacho. On their day, this lot can hurt anyone.

Since the 2020–21 Champions League final, Manchester City haven't lost any of their last 13 games against Chelsea in all competitions, winning ten and drawing three. That is a remarkable run of dominance, and on paper Guardiola's side should win this comfortably. But cup finals don't care about paper. Chelsea knows Wembley. If McFarlane can get his best players firing on the same afternoon, they absolutely have the quality to cause a real upset.

One thing's certain: this is the FA Cup final we all deserve. Get the snacks in. Don't you dare go anywhere.