Erling Haaland returns as City confirm starting XI for 2025-26 FA Cup final vs Chelsea

Manchester City will start Erling Haaland in the 2025-26 FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley, with Pep Guardiola naming a restored attack for the showpiece. The confirmed Manchester City XI lines up in a 4-2-3-1 with Haaland leading the line, flanked by Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku, while Chelsea name Joao Pedro as their focal striker in a 4-2-3-1.

Why it matters — silverware, momentum and Wembley history

The FA Cup final carries significant weight for both clubs. Manchester City aim to continue a dominant domestic run and can add to the Carabao Cup they have already won this season, while City also become the first club to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals. For Chelsea, the match represents an opportunity to arrest a difficult season and end a poor recent run at Wembley: the Blues have lost their last three FA Cup finals. Haaland’s inclusion is particularly notable given his mixed record in major finals at Wembley, and Guardiola’s public confidence in the striker adds narrative spice.

Confirmed lineups and formations

World Soccer Talk published the confirmed starting XIs and formations for both teams. Manchester City will deploy a 4-2-3-1: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland. Chelsea will line up 4-2-3-1 as well: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro.

What Guardiola said about Haaland

Pep Guardiola is quoted in the source joking about Haaland’s Wembley record, saying: “On Saturday, he will score.” The manager also rested Haaland during City’s midweek win over Crystal Palace, according to the report, with the striker returning fresh for the final. The restored attacking selection — including Doku and Cherki — is presented as a deliberate move to bolster City’s firepower for Wembley.

Key details

• Match: 2025-26 FA Cup final, Chelsea vs Manchester City (Wembley) — source: World Soccer Talk
• Manchester City confirmed XI (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Nunes; Khusanov; Guehi; O’Reilly; Bernardo Silva; Nico Gonzalez; Semenyo; Cherki; Doku; Haaland
• Chelsea confirmed XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James; Chalobah; Colwill; Cucurella; Lavia; Caicedo; Palmer; Fernandez; Neto; Joao Pedro
• City are the first club to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals and have already won the season’s Carabao Cup — per the source
• Guardiola joked that Haaland will score at Wembley and Haaland was rested in the midweek win over Crystal Palace to return fresh for the final

Tactical and squad implications (source-limited)

According to the supplied source, Guardiola’s selection restores key attacking options and signals an intent to rely on Haaland as the main goalscoring outlet. Chelsea’s XI, featuring Enzo Fernandez in the attacking trio and Joao Pedro up front, reflects the team that progressed to the final by scoring 21 goals on the route to Wembley, per the report. Beyond the lineups and managerial comment included in the source, further tactical analysis or squad availability (injuries, suspensions, late changes) is not provided and would require verification from club releases or matchday updates.

What happens next

Kick-off will decide whether Guardiola’s restored attack delivers silverware and whether Chelsea can end their recent Wembley run of defeats. Confirmed lineups were published pre-match by the cited source; if you require live updates, match events, final score, or post-match quotes, consult official club channels or live match coverage.