FA Cup final LIVE: build up ahead of Chelsea’s battle with Man City | OneFootball

📝 14:55

TEAMS ARE OUT

Pep Guardiola and Callum McFarlane lead their teams out onto the Wembley turf as Prince William exchanges handshakes with the two teams.

Kickoff is IMMINENT!

By Oliver Whitmore

📝 14:51

The noise in the “cathedral of football” as Pep Guardiola refers to it is only growing as the light show commences.

Under 10 minutes to go until the biggest game in Chelsea’s season, and certainly one of the biggest for Manchester City.

By Oliver Whitmore

📝 14:48

The Bradford AFC Choir and marching band make their way into the centre circle and begin their pre-match performance.

We’ve also had a rendition of ‘Blue Moon’, met with a chorus (get it…) of boos from the Chelsea supporters to my left.

Not long now!

By Oliver Whitmore

📝 14:38

Wembley is quickly filling up, one half in blue and a sea of lighter blue over on the other side. What a privilege it is to view English football’s showpiece fixture in a place like this.

Kick off is 20 minutes away.

By Oliver Whitmore

📝 14:34

Late drama in Scotland

Elsewhere, on the biggest day in Scottish football for over four decades, Celtic have STUNNED Hearts with a late double to snatch the Premiership title away from the Edinburgh side.

They would have been the first team other than the Old Firm to win the league in 41 years with their first since 1960. Pandemonium at Celtic Park, but heartbreak for the 750 travelling Jam Tarts.

Keep an eye out for our match report and analysis which is on the way imminently.

By Oliver Whitmore

📝 14:26

What is at stake this afternoon?

The trophy, of course, but there’s more to this final than what first meets the eye.

Sat 9th in the Premier League and hopes of a place in next year’s Champions League all but gone, Chelsea’s only route to European football might be winning the FA Cup and sealing a spot in the 2026/27 Europa League.

Interim manager Callum McFarlane could make history as the most inexperienced coach to ever lift the trophy, this being just his sixth game at senior level and in charge of the Blues.

As for Manchester City, they could still be en route to a domestic treble if Arsenal fail to beat already-relegated Burnley next Monday evening.

All to play for this afternoon.

By Oliver Whitmore

📝 14:18

Which finals are the best of all time?

Right, just before we bring you more from Wembley, which FA Cup finals stick out in your mind as the best of ALL time?

We suggested five of the very best earlier this morning.

FA Cup

TOP FIVE: the greatest FA Cup finals of all time

FromTheSpot discusses the five best FA Cup finals of all time ahead of managerless Chelsea’s battle with seven-time winners Manchester City at Wembley. 16 May 2026

By Oliver Whitmore

STARTING LINEUPS

Interim manager Callum McFarlane makes just one change to the side that drew 1-1 at Liverpool, as captain Reece James is slotted into holding midfield alongside Moises Caicedo.

Rumored to be eyeing a move to Barcelona, Joao Pedro starts up front ahead of Enzo Fernandez, with Marc Cucurella further up the pitch than his usual place in defence under Liam Rosenior.

Pep Guardiola named a much-rotated City side before cruising to a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, and makes four changes: cup keeper James Trafford, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, and Jeremy Doku all come in.

Chelsea – Manchester City Live Score

By Oliver Whitmore

📝 14:01

Good afternoon and welcome

A warm welcome to FromTheSpot’s live coverage of the 154th FA Cup final, between Chelsea and Manchester City at a soon-to-be packed out Wembley Stadium.

There are a wealth of subplots to this year’s final to dig our teeth into. With the Blues’ Champions League hopes all but over, interim manager hopes to win their ninth FA Cup and quality for the Europa League. Standing in their way is a man who has won 12 trophies at Wembley, and his Manchester City.

But let’s begin with the starting lineups.

By Oliver Whitmore