The 2025-26 FA Cup has reached Wembley, with the semi-finals set for Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April 2026. Manchester City face Southampton, while Chelsea meet Leeds United, and the 2026 FA Cup Semi-Final winners will go on to the final at Wembley on Saturday, 16 May 2026.
This year’s last-four ties have a very different feel. Manchester City arrive as the competition’s most established force, while Southampton are trying to make history as a non-top-flight finalist.
The other semi-final is more evenly balanced on paper, with Chelsea’s strong FA Cup record facing a Leeds side that has already shown it can produce goals and handle pressure.
2026 FA Cup Semi-Final Schedule
Both the Manchester City vs Southampton and Chelsea vs Leeds United 2026 FA Cup Semi-Final matches will be held at Wembley Stadium and must be resolved on the same day.
| Match | Date | Kick-off (BST) |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester City vs Southampton | Sat, 25 April | 5:15 PM |
| Chelsea vs Leeds United | Sun, 26 April | 3:00 PM |
Manchester City vs Southampton: City to keep the run going?
Manchester City have become the benchmark for FA Cup consistency under Pep Guardiola. They have reached eight consecutive semi-finals, and since the start of the 2018-19 season, they have won all 21 of their FA Cup games against sides from outside the Premier League, scoring 84 goals and conceding just 11. That is an extraordinary knockout record, and it is a major reason they go into this tie as strong favorites.
Southampton, though, have already produced one of the shocks of this season by knocking out Arsenal in the quarter-finals. They are also chasing a rare achievement: becoming the first non-Premier League side to reach the FA Cup final since Cardiff City in 2008. That kind of storyline is exactly why the FA Cup still feels special.
Still, the gap in experience is hard to ignore. City’s recent semi-final record, their dominance against lower-tier opposition, and the sheer number of big Wembley nights they have handled in recent years all point in one direction. Southampton can make it competitive, but City should have enough quality to get over the line.
Chelsea vs Leeds United: the tighter, more unpredictable semi-final
Chelsea’s FA Cup record against lower-division sides is outstanding. The FA notes that they have progressed from 62 of their last 64 Cup ties against teams from outside the Premier League, including 22 in a row at one stage. That kind of record makes them a very difficult team to tip against in a one-off match.
Leeds, however, bring their own threat. Their FA Cup run this season has featured nine goals from eight different scorers, which suggests a team with shared responsibility rather than dependence on one star. The FA also pointed out that this semi-final is a repeat of the famous 1970 Wembley final, adding a layer of history and emotion to an already high-pressure occasion.
This is the tie where the upset feels most possible. Chelsea have the stronger overall Cup pedigree, but Leeds’ scoring spread and the one-off nature of a Wembley semi-final mean this could be decided by a single moment. Even so, Chelsea’s recent Cup record gives them the edge in what looks like a narrow contest.
Who will reach the final?
My prediction is Manchester City and Chelsea. City looks the safest bet of the weekend because of their long semi-final run and their ruthless FA Cup record against non-Premier League sides.
Chelsea vs Leeds is much harder to call, but Chelsea’s consistency in this competition makes them the likelier finalist. That would set up a final between two clubs with big-match experience and plenty of attacking quality.
Why this FA Cup semi-final weekend matters
The FA Cup still delivers the kind of mix that makes English football so compelling: a dominant modern powerhouse, a Championship challenger chasing a dream, and two ties with enough history to feel bigger than the occasion itself.
With Wembley hosting both semi-finals and the final set for 16 May, the road to the trophy is now down to four clubs and two very different narratives.
Who will reach the 2026 FA Cup final?
Manchester City and Chelsea look the likeliest finalists based on current form and FA Cup record, though Southampton and Leeds both have a realistic upset chance.
When are the FA Cup semi-finals being played?
The semi-finals are scheduled for 25 and 26 April 2026 at Wembley Stadium.
When is the FA Cup final?
The 2026 FA Cup final will be played at Wembley on Saturday 16 May 2026, kicking off at 3pm BST.