FA Cup Semi-Final Draw: Wembley Awaits As The Four Teams Learn Their Semi-Final Destinies

London – The road to Wembley has narrowed to a single lane for four survivors of the world’s oldest cup competition, and Sunday night’s FA Cup semi-final draw has paired heavyweight ambition against underdog romance in two tantalising ties next month.

Manchester City, the competition’s most relentless scorers this winter, will face Championship battlers Southampton, while Chelsea renew a vintage rivalry with Leeds United in the other last-four showdown. Both matches will be staged under the arch at Wembley Stadium, continuing the modern tradition of hosting semi-finals at the national stadium since 2008.

Southampton, the only second-tier side left standing, have already lived a dozen cup lives. Russell Martin’s men flirted with disaster against Doncaster Rovers, edged Leicester City in extra time, struck late to sink Fulham and stunned Premier League leaders Arsenal with an 88th-minute winner. Their reward is a collision with Pep Guardiola’s City, who have bulldozed every obstacle in sight: Exeter were brushed aside 10-1, Salford defeated 2-0, Newcastle beaten 3-1 after falling behind, and Liverpool dismantled 4-0. The Etihad outfit, buoyed by last weekend’s Carabao Cup final triumph over Arsenal, still harbour Premier League title hopes and now dream of a domestic double to rescue a campaign that wobbled before Christmas.

The other tie pitches Chelsea against Leeds in a rivalry forged in the 1960s and rekindled whenever silverware is at stake. The Blues’ path has been no less spectacular: Charlton Athletic were swatted aside 5-1, Hull City beaten 4-0, non-league Wrexham out-gunned 4-2 after extra time and Port Vale crushed 7-0. Yet for Liam Rosenior’s side, the FA Cup has been a welcome distraction from league inconsistency and a bruising Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

Leeds, meanwhile, have already survived two penalty shootouts—against Birmingham City and West Ham United—while also overturning Derby County and easing past Norwich City. Daniel Farke’s team have not reached an FA Cup semi-final since the 1986-87 season, and their 41 wins in the all-time head-to-head with Chelsea give them psychological fuel, even if league form has spluttered.

For Southampton, the last-four appearance is their first in five seasons; for Manchester City and Chelsea, Wembley in spring feels almost customary. Yet the magic of the Cup lies in its capacity to upend expectation, and with a Championship club and a fallen giant both eyeing rare finals, another twist may yet await.

The dates and kick-off times will be confirmed in due course, but one truth is already etched in capital letters: Wembley awaits, and only two of these four can march on to the final.