2025–26 FA Cup Semifinal Draw: Chelsea, Man City Learn Wembley Opponents

Arsenal and Liverpool were knocked out in a dramatic series of quarterfinals to set up an intriguing final four lineup.

Four semifinalists will be duking it out at Wembley later this month. | Michael Regan-The FA/The FA/Getty Images

Chelsea will face fierce rivals Leeds United while Manchester City take on second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley Stadium later this month.

An enthralling set of quarterfinals paved the way for this intriguing final four. Chelsea predictably demolished League One relegation battlers Port Vale at Stamford Bridge on Saturday yet few saw Arsenal’s upset at Southampton coming.

The Premier League leaders were deservedly beaten by the Championship outfit on the south coast, compounding a convincing Carabao Cup final defeat before the international break. Manchester City were the authors of that Wembley triumph and hope to extend their success at England’s national stadium after delivering a nut-and-bolt dismantling of Liverpool in the quarterfinals.

Manchester City bounded into the FA Cup semifinals. | Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Pep Guardiola’s side scored four goals in less than 20 minutes on either side of halftime at the Etihad Stadium, leaving Liverpool questioning their mental strength and fighting spirit.

West Ham and Leeds both showed the best kind of attitude in arguably the most remarkable quarterfinal of the lot. The West Yorkshire outfit were 2–0 up at the London Stadium heading into stoppage time only to concede twice in four minutes as the hosts spectacularly forced extra time. West Ham had a potential winner chalked off for offside before goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was forced off injured on the cusp of the penalty shootout.

The Frenchman’s 20-year-old deputy Finlay Herrick came on to make his debut and saved the first spot kick from Leeds’ Joel Piroe. However, there would be a few more loops on the rollercoaster as the visitors rallied back to win the shootout 4–2.

If the semifinals prove to be anywhere as exciting as the previous round of fixtures, it threatens to be a dramatic conclusion to England’s oldest cup competition.

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2025–26 FA Cup Semifinal Draw in Full

The FA Cup trophy can still be won by a non-Premier League club this year. | Adam Fradgley-AMA/West Bromwich Albion FC/Getty Images

• Chelsea vs. Leeds United
• Manchester City vs. Southampton

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Ball Numbers for FA Cup Semifinal Draw

1. Southampton
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester City
4. Leeds United

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2025–26 FA Cup Round Dates

Tosin Adarabioyo popped up with a rare goal for Chelsea in the quarterfinals. | Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images

Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders described the coming weeks as “the part of the season where the business has to be done.” City’s FA Cup focus will be divided by their Premier League title race with Arsenal, which comes into sharp focus just around the time of the semifinals.

One week before City head to Wembley, they host Arsenal at the Etihad for an almighty league clash on April 19. The Cityzens were due to play relegation-battling Burnley on Sunday, April 26, but that fixture will have to be rescheduled to accommodate their cup exploits.

Chelsea aren’t going for ultimate glory in the Premier League but very much need all the points they can get in the race for Champions League qualification. The Blues host Manchester United on the weekend before their semifinal.

Round	Weekend of (Saturday)
First Round Proper	Nov. 1, 2025
Second Round Proper	Dec. 6, 2025
Third Round Proper	Jan. 10, 2026
Fourth Round Proper	Feb. 14, 2026
Fifth Round Proper	March 7, 2026
Quarterfinals	April 4, 2026
Semifinals	April 25, 2026
Final	May 16, 2026

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