Chelsea Women host Manchester City Women in Women's FA Cup semi-final
Chelsea aim to add a second trophy to their campaign while Manchester City defend their Women's Super League title in a fixture officiated by Phoebe Cross
Chelsea Women will host Manchester City Women at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 10 May 2026, in the semi-final of the Women's FA Cup. The fixture is scheduled to commence at 15:30 BST under forecasted cloudy and breezy conditions, with coverage available on TNT Sports 1 in the UK and HBO Max, though no broadcast is scheduled for the USA. The match will be officiated by referee Phoebe Cross.
Chelsea, having already secured the Women's League Cup earlier in the campaign, seek to secure a second trophy of the season. The Blues entered this fixture with a 3-1 victory over Leicester City last weekend, a result that confirmed their qualification for the UEFA Women's Champions League. However, their league position remains uncertain as they trail Arsenal by a single point with the Gunners holding a game in hand.
Manchester City, the reigning Women's Super League champions, enter the semi-final seeking to defend their title. The club confirmed their league status with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool last weekend, a result that secured the championship despite a previous defeat to Brighton. The structural advantage of having a game in hand over Arsenal in the league title race provides the hosts with a pathway to challenge for the Premier League crown alongside their domestic cup ambitions.
Squad availability presents a significant variable for both institutions ahead of the match. Chelsea are without goalkeeper Livia Peng and defender Naomi Girma due to injury. Peng, who was substituted in the last outing, could not maintain her position, leading to goalkeeper Hannah Hampton returning to the squad for this fixture. Girma remains unavailable due to a calf injury.
Manchester City face a deeper list of absences, missing defenders Laura Wienroither and Naomi Layzell, who have been out of contention since April. The midfield is also depleted, with Vivianne Miedema and Sydney Lohmann added to the injury list last week. While defender Rebecca Knaak may be available for selection, her participation is contingent upon a late fitness test that has yet to be concluded.
The Women's FA Cup final between the two clubs is scheduled for 16 May 2026. This semi-final serves as a critical juncture for both teams, with Chelsea aiming to complete a domestic double and Manchester City looking to extend their dominance across all competitions. The outcome of the match at Stamford Bridge will determine which institution advances to the final stage of the competition.
