Chelsea and Manchester City will contest the 2026 Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with Prince William set to attend and hand over the trophy to the victorious side.
The two clubs have accumulated 15 FA Cup triumphs between them, yet have never previously met in the competition’s final.
For City, the match represents another chance at silverware in what has been a strong campaign, whilst Chelsea views the final as a potential lifeline following months of turmoil.
Pep Guardiola’s side have made history by becoming the first club ever to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals, though their recent record in the showpiece fixture has been disappointing.
The Prince of Wales serves as Patron of the Football Association
|
GETTY
Despite lifting the trophy in 2019 and 2023, City suffered defeats to Manchester United two years ago and Crystal Palace last season.
Victory tomorrow would complete a Wembley double for the Citizens, who secured the League Cup with a 2-0 win over Arsenal earlier this campaign.
Their recent form has been impressive, with only a stumble at Goodison Park blotting an otherwise excellent run of results in recent weeks.
That setback at Everton may ultimately prove costly in the Premier League title race, making the FA Cup an increasingly important prize for Guardiola’s men.
Pep Guardiola’s side have made history by becoming the first club ever to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals, though their recent record in the showpiece fixture has been disappointing.
|
GETTY
Chelsea’s campaign has been marred by significant upheaval, with both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior dismissed from the managerial position during a deeply disappointing season.
The Blues last claimed the FA Cup in 2018, defeating Manchester United 1-0 in that final.
Their league form has been dire, collecting just a single point from their past seven top-flight matches, with that draw coming against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.
During this barren run, Chelsea’s only victories have been FA Cup triumphs over Port Vale and Leeds United.
While European qualification through the Premier League remains mathematically possible, it would require numerous favourable results elsewhere.
Tomorrow’s final, therefore, offers Chelsea their most straightforward route into the Europa League, though their current form makes the task far from simple.
The Prince of Wales looks set to attend two cup finals in the space of five days.
Prince William is expected to travel to Istanbul on Wednesday for Aston Villa’s Europa League final against Freiburg, according to sources close to the royal.
The prince was pictured celebrating at Villa Park last week when his side secured a 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
|
GETTY
Although Kensington Palace has not officially confirmed his attendance at the match in Turkey, insiders suggest the heir to the throne is almost certain to be there.
“Did you see his face last week?” one Kensington Palace source said. “He will find a way.”
The prince was pictured celebrating at Villa Park last week when his side secured a 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
That result sent Aston Villa through to their first major European final in more than four decades.
Should Villa triumph in Istanbul, it would mark the club’s first major silverware in 30 years.