FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw: Man City vs. Liverpool Headlines a Last Eight to Remember
The 2026 FA Cup quarter-final draw is complete, confirmed directly by The FA on Monday, March 9. West Ham sealed the final quarter-final spot by beating Brentford on penalties at London Stadium — and Joe Hart then pulled four ties that guarantee an unforgettable last eight across the weekend of April 4 and 5.
The Official FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw in Full
The four confirmed quarter-final ties are: Southampton vs. Arsenal, Chelsea vs. Port Vale, Manchester City vs. Liverpool, and West Ham United vs. Leeds United.
Every single tie carries a compelling narrative. Arsenal travel to the Championship. Liverpool and City collide in one of world football's great rivalries. Port Vale keep their fairytale alive at Stamford Bridge. And West Ham host Leeds in an all-Premier League tie that nobody saw coming.
Man City vs. Liverpool: The Tie of the Round
The biggest draw of the round is undoubtedly Manchester City vs. Liverpool. The two Premier League rivals will meet at the Etihad Stadium, desperate for a spot in the semi-finals. Pep Guardiola's men made the final last season but lost to Crystal Palace, while the Reds last made the final in the 2021-22 season, beating Chelsea on penalties.
Both clubs are among the most successful in FA Cup history. A last-eight knockout between two title contenders at the Etihad is the kind of fixture that defines entire seasons.
Arsenal vs. Southampton: Gunners' Quadruple Dream Continues at St. Mary's
Arsenal have avoided a top-flight opponent again. After beating Mansfield Town in the fifth round, they will travel away to Championship club Southampton — as per Opta analyst Tom Ede, this is the first time Arsenal will face lower-league opposition in each of their first four rounds of the competition since 1951-52.
Southampton shocked Fulham in the fifth round and will back themselves at St. Mary's to spring another Premier League upset. Arsenal, chasing an unprecedented quadruple, cannot afford complacency.
Chelsea vs. Port Vale: Fairytale Continues at Stamford Bridge
Ironically, Chelsea were drawn against Port Vale in the quarter-finals — having had Wrexham in the fifth round. Some Chelsea supporters online were not happy, pointing out that their opponents have been Charlton, Hull City, Wrexham, and now Port Vale — a run of non-Premier League opposition all the way through.
League One side Port Vale are the lowest-ranked team remaining in the draw. They are bottom of League One and fighting relegation — yet somehow stand 90 minutes from a Wembley semi-final.
West Ham vs. Leeds United: All-Premier League Tie Completes the Draw
The final tie sees an all-Premier League clash between West Ham United and Leeds United — with West Ham having just booked their place via a penalty shootout win over Brentford on Monday night at London Stadium.
All four quarter-final ties will take place on the weekend of April 4 and 5, 2026. The final will be played at Wembley Stadium on May 16, 2026, with the winners earning a place in the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League.
