Manchester City’s relentless pursuit of domestic dominance has reached another historic milestone. Following a clinical run through the competition, Pep Guardiola’s side has officially secured a place in the FA Cup semi-finals for a record-breaking eighth successive season.
The journey to the final four has been a masterclass in consistency, as the Citizens navigated a variety of challenges to book their latest trip to the capital.
City’s path to the 2025/26 semi-finals saw them overcome diverse opposition, showcasing the squad depth that has become a hallmark of the Guardiola era. The successful run included:
- Exeter City & Salford City: Professional performances against lower-league opposition to kickstart the campaign.
- Newcastle United: A high-stakes victory against Premier League rivals.
- Liverpool: A statement 4-0 win that signaled City’s intent to reclaim the trophy.
Here everything you need to know ahead of the Semi-Final draw
What time is the draw?
The draw will be held on Sunday 5 April 2026
The FA has confirmed that Manchester City will be ball number four in the semi-final draw. The draw is scheduled to take place this Sunday afternoon, shortly after the conclusion of the final quarter-final clash between West Ham United and Leeds United (kicking off at 4:30 PM GMT).
Joining City in the hat are Chelsea (ball number five) and the weekend’s surprise package, Southampton (ball number six). The winner of the West Ham vs. Leeds tie will take up the final slot as ball number seven.
How to watch
As always, the club will have full coverage of City’s opponents and an announcement of the fixture time and date on mancity.com and the Club’s official app first.
The draw will be available for fans in the UK to watch on TNT Sports 1, discovery+ and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
A historic milestone for Pep Guardiola
By securing their spot in the final four, Manchester City has achieved a staggering record of eight successive FA Cup semi-final appearances. While City has frequented Wembley often in recent years, the “agony of recent years” in this specific competition where they have occasionally stumbled at the penultimate hurdle remains a talking point.
However, after dismantling Liverpool 4-0 in the quarter finals to get their ticket to London, the momentum appears to be firmly with the blue half of Manchester.
The favorites tag: Arsenal’s exit and City’s dominance
The complexion of the competition changed drastically yesterday evening when Southampton pulled off a massive giant-killing, defeating Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal 2-1.
With the Gunners out of the equation, City has been installed as the heavy favourites to reclaim the trophy they last lifted during their historic 2022/2023 campaign.
While Southampton’s achievement is momentous, the sheer experience of the City squad makes another upset feel unlikely.
Currently, an unpredictable Chelsea side appears to be the most significant roadblock remaining, though the London club has struggled for consistency this season.
Impact on the Premier League schedule
The trip to Wembley for the semi-finals, scheduled for the weekend of April 25th–26th, will necessitate some shuffling in the Premier League calendar.
City’s scheduled away fixture against Burnley will now be moved. It is expected to take place mid-week, likely falling between Tuesday, April 21st, and Thursday, April 23rd. This congestion will test Guardiola’s squad depth as they continue to juggle domestic and potentially European commitments.
For Pep Guardiola, the goal remains singular: returning to the Etihad with the oldest trophy in world football.
