Manchester City, led by manager Pep Guardiola, will play Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 16, 2026, at Wembley Stadium [1, 2, 3]. This marks Manchester City’s fourth successive appearance in the FA Cup final, a club record [1, 2, 3].
Guardiola, 55, has won the FA Cup twice with City before, in 2019 and 2023, and a win this time would mark his 20th trophy as Manchester City manager during his ten years at the club [1, 2, 3]. He called on English football to honor him for his repeated Wembley appearances, joking, "I’m so disappointed in English football for not making (renaming) a stand for Pep... Many times I’ve been there, so at least a lounge, or a box, or something like that" [1].
City enters the final still chasing the Premier League title. They trail leaders Arsenal by two points with two league games left in the season [1, 2, 3]. The club defeated Arsenal earlier in March to win the League Cup final [1, 2, 3]. On May 13, Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in the Premier League, with Guardiola making six changes to his starting lineup [1, 2, 3].
Guardiola spoke about the upcoming final and past disappointments, saying, "It’s (another final) exciting! Hopefully we can do better than the last two times. (We have) new players and it (past defeats) is forgotten. One-off game against Chelsea, in another final and we have to try and win the trophy" [3]. City lost the previous two finals to Crystal Palace in 2025 and Manchester United in 2024 [1, 2, 3].
Chelsea, managed by interim boss Calum McFarlane, aim to end an eight-year domestic trophy drought despite a difficult season and poor recent league form [3]. Guardiola noted the challenge, saying, "The message is clear how we have to move and run to beat Chelsea. The message is there are two prestigious clubs... The season has been good, really, really good!" [3]. He added, "It is what it is. It is not ideal but the big clubs when you are in difficult circumstances have to cope" [1].
Guardiola has one year left on his contract and has not revealed if he will stay after the season [1, 2, 3].
Manchester City will face Bournemouth in the Premier League three days after the FA Cup final on May 19, highlighting a tight fixture schedule near the season’s end [1, 2, 3].