After an intense journey featuring 465 matches and 2,445 goals, the Women’s FA Cup has been narrowed down to two finalists: Manchester United and Chelsea. The two teams will meet for the final at Wembley this Sunday, marking their second showdown in the Women’s FA Cup final. Chelsea previously triumphed 1-0 in 2023, denying United their first-ever final victory. However, last season United avenged that defeat by eliminating Chelsea in the semi-finals before convincingly beating Tottenham 4-0 in the final to secure their first major trophy since promotion from the Championship. Now, United aim to prove how far they have progressed by defending their title against a Chelsea side chasing a domestic treble and unbeaten in league play.
The final is set to be a landmark occasion, with over 85,000 tickets sold potentially breaking the attendance record for the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley. The atmosphere promises to be electric, enhanced by notable attendees such as Chelsea’s new minority owner Alexis Ohanian and his wife, tennis legend Serena Williams. Entertainment will also be provided by Olly Murs ahead of kickoff, illustrating how the Women’s FA Cup final is evolving into a major mainstream event.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, who last played at Wembley in 2012 during the Olympics, returns to the iconic stadium eager to cap off her first season managing the Blues with glory. Her motivation to coach in England was partly inspired by the chance to compete on such historic stages in front of thousands. Bompastor acknowledges that winning the domestic treble would be a major achievement but stops short of calling the season perfect, reflecting on the sting of being knocked out by Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals. She stresses the challenge ahead, describing Manchester United as a “really strong team” experienced in finals, and believes the game will be evenly matched, predicting it to be a “50-50” contest.
Despite Bompastor’s attempt to downplay Chelsea as outright favourites, their recent dominance over United is undeniable. Chelsea have won 13 of their last 15 encounters against United across all competitions and are heading into their eighth FA Cup final, having won the trophy five times. Still, the gap between the teams is narrowing; United’s route to Wembley has been impressive, scoring 18 goals and conceding just once.
United manager Marc Skinner embraces the underdog role, describing himself and his team as “rebels” who refuse to accept Chelsea’s perceived superiority based on resources alone. He stresses that overcoming Chelsea will require relentless focus and consistency throughout the match. Skinner sees a victory as another crucial step forward for his side in their quest to establish themselves as a major force in English women’s football. Although he jokes about Chelsea’s recent £20 million investment, Skinner is quick to praise the positive impact such investment has on the game overall. He recognizes the added pressure on Chelsea’s management to deliver silverware, particularly the Champions League, given the scale of their backing.
For Skinner, the challenge lies in finding a way to beat Chelsea despite their financial muscle, which he views as a healthy indicator of the growing stature and investment in the women’s game. He expresses genuine respect for Chelsea’s achievements but is clear that United will not be intimidated on Sunday. The match promises to be a tightly contested affair between two teams at the pinnacle of English women’s football, each hungry for glory on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
