Man City’s first game of 2026/27 season confirmed immediately after FA Cup heroics
Antoine Semenyo produced a moment of individual brilliance to settle the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium
Prince William, Prince of Wales shakes hands with Pep Guardiola after Man City’s FA Cup final win over Chelsea(Image: (Alex Pantling – The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
Manchester City’s first game of the 2026/27 season has been confirmed after they won the FA Cup. City kept alive their hopes of winning a domestic treble as Antoine Semenyo’s sensational second-half finish secured them a 1-0 win at Wembley.
The showpiece had largely been a dismal non-event until Semenyo broke the deadlock brilliantly with 18 minutes left. The victory means Guardiola has now overseen three FA Cup triumphs – the first against Watford in 2019 and the 2023 success against Manchester United on the way to an historic Treble.
And City’s victory also means that they will face Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 16.
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The ‘curtain raiser’ for the new football season is traditionally played on the weekend before the Premier League begins, but it will not take place at Wembley.
Due to alterations to the 2026/27 football calendar, Wembley is unavailable on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 due to pre-planned concerts, so City’s clash against the Gunners will instead take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Guardiola’s side are guaranteed to face the Gunners in the Community Shield because if a team wins both the Premier League and the FA Cup, the runners-up from the Premier League will be the opposition.
Just two points separate Arsenal and City in the table, but neither side can be caught by third-place Manchester United.
Reacting to his side’s Wembley triumph, the Catalan said: “The moment the fire decreases, then we will go home. I am a funny guy.
“This year I have been really good. Last season was the toughest season for many reasons. This season it is every day how we behave. Maybe we took time to find some stability with the team. In the Premier League it doesn’t wait.
“Not even one (celebration). You know Bournemouth (away on Tuesday). That will be even tougher. Try to go there and get a results.”
While departing City captain Bernardo Silva said: “The FA Cup is a really, really special competition. To win it means so much all the players, management and staff.
“After nine years at the Club, I know how much this trophy means to our fans. They have to come to Wembley so often, which we know isn’t easy for them, but they are always behind us. It makes days like this even better knowing they are with us.
“Being able to lift another trophy at Wembley, where we have played so many times, is such a special feeling – one I never take for granted. To do so as captain makes this one of the best days of my career.
“Having already won the League Cup this year, this young team have now got a taste for trophies. I feel sure they will go on and win many more titles in the years to come.”
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