FA Cup Final 2026 between Chelsea and Manchester City is all set to kick off today. Man City faces a Chelsea team at Wembley that is in turmoil after a crisis-hit season that has seen the Club World Cup champion fire two coaches since the turn of the year. Meanwhile, Manchester City aim to end a two-year losing streak in soccer’s oldest knockout competition. City has lost to Crystal Palace and Manchester United in the last two finals, having won it in 2023.
Manchester City versus Chelsea FA Cup final 2026 will be played at Wembley Stadium in London. The kick off is scheduled at 10 am (ET). The match is all set to stream on ESPN+, ESPN2 for soccer fans in the U.S. Chelsea are likely to win the FA Cup final 2026.
It’s a record fourth final in a row for Pep Guardiola’s team, which is in contention for a domestic trophy treble, having already won the English League Cup. City is also second in the Premier League, two points behind Arsenal with two rounds to go. It is relying on novice interim coach Calum McFarlane to try to end the campaign on a high and deny Guardiola what would be his 17th major trophy at City and his 35th overall.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday he would have preferred seven days to prepare for the FA Cup final like opponents Chelsea, but acknowledged the compressed schedule is the price of success in other domestic competitions. With City also winning the League Cup this season, their schedule has been tight with Premier League and FA Cup games in the home stretch of the season as they chase a domestic treble.
City are two points behind Arsenal in the Premier League and Guardiola said their rushed preparation after beating Crystal Palace on Wednesday has been far from ideal ahead of Saturday's final at Wembley Stadium.
City have reached their fourth straight FA Cup final but Guardiola said he hopes they can "do better than the last two times" and make their fans proud after losing to Manchester United in 2024 and Crystal Palace last year.
Wembley holds a special place in Guardiola's heart, having won the Champions League title at the stadium with Barcelona while he has led City 24 times to the iconic arena.
Guardiola said they will make a late fitness call on midfielder Rodri while the rest of the squad is fit.
