Manchester City once again proved why they remain one of the dominant forces in English football after defeating Chelsea to lift the 2026 FA Cup title.
In what was another memorable final at Wembley Stadium, Manchester City showed composure, quality, and experience to edge past Chelsea and add another major trophy to their growing collection under Pep Guardiola’s era.
The FA Cup has always been a competition filled with surprises, giant killings, and unforgettable finals. But in recent years, Manchester City have turned consistency into a habit. Their latest triumph further strengthens their place among England’s modern football elites.
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For Chelsea, the defeat will be another painful reminder of missed opportunities in cup finals. Despite showing flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, they could not find enough quality on the biggest stage.
What makes the FA Cup special is its ability to connect generations of football fans. From dramatic underdog victories to dominant performances by England’s biggest clubs, the competition continues to deliver moments that define football history.
With the 2026 victory, Manchester City add another FA Cup crown to their impressive record and continue closing the gap on historic rivals like Arsenal and Manchester United in the all-time winners list.
FA Cup Winners List (2000–2026)
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Manchester City | Chelsea | 2-1 |
| 2025 | Crystal Palace | Manchester City | 1-0 |
| 2024 | Manchester United | Manchester City | 2-1 |
| 2023 | Manchester City | Manchester United | 2-1 |
| 2022 | Liverpool | Chelsea | 0-0 (p 6–5) |
| 2021 | Leicester City | Chelsea | 1-0 |
| 2020 | Arsenal | Chelsea | 2-1 |
| 2019 | Manchester City | Watford | 6-0 |
| 2018 | Chelsea | Manchester United | 1-0 |
| 2017 | Arsenal | Chelsea | 2-1 |
| 2016 | Manchester United | Crystal Palace | 2-1 aet |
| 2015 | Arsenal | Aston Villa | 4-0 |
| 2014 | Arsenal | Hull City | 3-2 aet |
| 2013 | Wigan Athletic | Manchester City | 1-0 |
| 2012 | Chelsea | Liverpool | 2-1 |
| 2011 | Manchester City | Stoke City | 1-0 |
| 2010 | Chelsea | Portsmouth | 1-0 |
| 2009 | Chelsea | Everton | 2-1 |
| 2008 | Portsmouth | Cardiff City | 1-0 |
| 2007 | Chelsea | Manchester United | 1-0 |
| 2006 | Liverpool | West Ham United | 3-3 aet |
| 2005 | Arsenal | Manchester United | 0-0 aet |
| 2004 | Manchester United | Millwall | 3-0 |
| 2003 | Arsenal | Southampton | 1-0 |
| 2002 | Arsenal | Chelsea | 2-0 |
| 2001 | Liverpool | Arsenal | 2-1 |
| 2000 | Chelsea | Aston Villa | 1-0 |
Opinion: Has Manchester City Already Entered the “Greatest English Team” Debate?
There was a time when Manchester City were viewed as the “new money” club trying to break into English football’s elite circle. That conversation is long gone.
Winning trophies consistently is one thing. Dominating multiple competitions over several years is another. Manchester City are no longer chasing history — they are creating it.
Their 2026 FA Cup victory may not be their most dramatic triumph, but it further proves how difficult they are to stop when it matters most. Whether people love them or hate them, City have become the standard many clubs are trying to reach.
And perhaps the scariest part for rivals is this: they still do not look finished yet.
