Chelsea vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news
TL;DR
Chelsea will face Manchester City in the 2026 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. Chelsea aims to recover from a recent losing streak, while Manchester City seeks a domestic cup double after winning the Carabao Cup.
Key points
- Chelsea faces Manchester City in the FA Cup final
- Match takes place at Wembley Stadium
- Chelsea ended a six-match losing streak
- Manchester City seeks a domestic cup double
- City reached the final after defeating Southampton
Mentioned in this story
Chelsea vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news
Chelsea face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the 2026 FA Cup final.
The Blues seek to salvage a difficult campaign after recently halting a torrid six-match losing streak. Calum McFarlane’s side booked their place in the final by edging past Leeds United in the semi-finals.
Manchester City arrive in the capital chasing a prestigious domestic cup double following their Carabao Cup success. Pep Guardiola’s men navigated a tense semi-final against Southampton to reach their fourth consecutive showpiece. Late strikes from Jérémy Doku and Nico Gonzalez completed a dramatic comeback in that fixture.
History will be made before kick-off as Manchester City become the first club to appear in four consecutive FA Cup finals. However, their recent record at the national stadium remains mixed after successive final defeats. They followed a 2023 victory with losses to Manchester United and Crystal Palace in the last two years.
Chelsea are similarly desperate to end a period of heartbreak after losing their last three FA Cup finals. Only the Blues themselves have previously lost the final in three successive campaigns. This match represents the 17th final appearance for the West London club.
Chelsea vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- Referee: Darren England
- VAR: Peter Bankes
- Last Meeting: Chelsea 0–3 Manchester City, 12 Apr 2026, Premier League
Chelsea team news
Calum McFarlane confirmed that Reece James and Levi Colwill have both trained well this week. James returned for a brief cameo against Liverpool last weekend after a lengthy hamstring issue. Colwill also successfully completed his first start since the summer during the draw at Anfield. Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto have returned to full training after missing two matches. Robert Sanchez is available again after recovering from a head injury.
Manchester City team news
Pep Guardiola remains uncertain whether Rodri will be fit to anchor the midfield. The Spaniard is battling a groin injury and missed Wednesday’s victory over Crystal Palace. Josko Gvardiol made a successful return from a broken leg in that match. Nevertheless, Nico O’Reilly is expected to retain his place in the defensive line. James Trafford should continue as the designated cup goalkeeper after impressing in earlier rounds.
Form
Chelsea: L-L-L-W-L-D
The Blues approach this final amidst a period of significant managerial and on-field inconsistency. They recently halted a torrid six-match losing streak with a 1–1 draw at Liverpool. Despite their league struggles, Chelsea have been prolific in the FA Cup with 21 goals this term. This matches their tally from the 2006-07 campaign. However, they have failed to score in their last four Wembley finals.
Manchester City: W-W-W-D-W-W
Manchester City remain in peak condition as they pursue a domestic treble. They have won five of their last six matches across all competitions. Their only recent blemish was a high-scoring 3–3 draw against Everton. City have won 21 of their last 23 FA Cup matches. Only two final defeats have broken their faultless run in the competition since 2023.
Predicted lineups
Chelsea Predicted XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
Manchester City Predicted XI: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Nico; Doku, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland
How to watch Chelsea vs Manchester City?
The 2026 FA Cup final is broadcast live and free-to-air on the BBC. Coverage begins at 13:00 BST on BBC One. Fans can also watch via TNT Sports 1 from 09:00 BST. Streaming is available through the BBC iPlayer and the HBO Max app.
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Q&A
What date is the Chelsea vs Manchester City FA Cup final?
The FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
How did Chelsea reach the FA Cup final?
Chelsea reached the FA Cup final by defeating Leeds United in the semi-finals.
What is Manchester City's recent achievement before the FA Cup final?
Manchester City recently won the Carabao Cup, aiming for a domestic cup double.
Who scored for Manchester City in their semi-final match?
Jérémy Doku and Nico Gonzalez scored for Manchester City in their semi-final match against Southampton.
