FA Cup Could Introduce Seeded Teams After Last 32 in 2026

Published: 03 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The Women’s FA Cup is facing possible changes as the Football Association considers introducing seeded teams from the last 32. These proposed reforms, aimed at enhancing commercial potential, would remove the traditional draw after the last 32 and establish a structured “road-to-Wembley” bracket for remaining clubs. By seeding the top four teams, the FA hopes to ensure consistent high-quality matches while increasing fan engagement throughout the later rounds. The focus keyword “FA Cup” appears prominently as the debate over these changes intensifies among clubs, players, and supporters across England.

According to the FA, the bracket system could allow fans and clubs to plan their route to Wembley Stadium, creating excitement and narrative momentum previously missing in the tournament. The seeding proposal is described as a temporary measure reflecting the developmental stage of the women’s football pyramid. Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City – the top four from last season – would be the clubs benefiting directly from this adjustment, ensuring marquee matchups in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

The proposal has sparked immediate controversy, particularly among lower-league sides, which fear reduced opportunities to advance against elite WSL teams. Clubs argue that removing the draw diminishes the romantic unpredictability that has long defined the FA Cup, where underdog sides have occasionally challenged the established hierarchy. FA officials acknowledge these concerns and have launched a consultation process, with feedback from clubs expected to inform a final decision in April.

A review commissioned by the FA highlighted the heritage of the Women’s FA Cup, emphasising that the final must remain at Wembley and that no additional rounds should be added to preserve player welfare. Nonetheless, the timing of matches could shift, with the FA suggesting a game every other weekend from the last 32 through to the quarter-finals. This adjustment aims to balance competitive intensity with athlete wellbeing while creating better scheduling for fans, broadcasters, and commercial partners.

The FA’s spokesperson explained, “Our Reaching Higher strategy recognises the importance of evolving the Women’s FA Cup to strengthen commercial growth, allowing reinvestment into the competition and women’s football overall. Any decisions will be made in consultation with clubs, players, and partners, ensuring the sport develops sustainably.”

A significant element of the consultation includes an entry-tier review for lower-league teams, focusing on stadium standards and minimum requirements for participation. This review also considers fan engagement data, including feedback from a survey that attracted around 6,000 responses. Clubs in the Women’s National League and below remain apprehensive, arguing that seeding could further widen the gap between elite and grassroots sides.

Historically, only Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City have won the competition since Birmingham’s triumph in 2012. Arsenal, with 14 titles, and United, having reached three consecutive finals, dominate the current landscape, intensifying concerns that a seeded bracket could reinforce this dominance. Lower-league clubs, meanwhile, see this move as a threat to their competitive opportunities and the open nature of the tournament that has drawn fans for decades.

Supporters of the proposals argue that a structured bracket will allow storytelling opportunities, enabling fans to follow their team’s progress clearly and create a build-up to Wembley reminiscent of international tournaments. Bracketed draws could also help broadcasters and commercial partners deliver a more marketable product, increasing visibility for women’s football while providing operational predictability for the clubs themselves.

Critics counter that a seeded system contradicts the Cup’s ethos, which thrives on unpredictability and occasional upsets. They suggest that the charm of the Women’s FA Cup lies in its egalitarian spirit, where lower-league clubs occasionally challenge elite teams, creating iconic moments that resonate with fans. Clubs argue that these narratives may be lost if seeding becomes permanent, potentially limiting media attention and broader engagement in the early rounds.

Consultations with clubs and fans will continue through February and March, providing a platform for lower-tier sides to voice concerns. The FA has confirmed that any final decision regarding seeding, scheduling, and entry requirements will be made in close alignment with feedback received, emphasising transparency and inclusivity in shaping the future of the tournament.

The debate reflects broader ambitions within the FA to professionalise women’s football, improve revenue generation, and enhance matchday experiences. By securing predictable high-quality fixtures in later rounds, the FA aims to attract sponsors, broadcasters, and fans while supporting sustainable growth for clubs across the pyramid. However, the challenge remains to balance commercial ambitions with preserving the historic and emotional essence of the Women’s FA Cup, which has been contested since 1970.

As discussions progress, clubs, players, and fans await clarification on whether seeding will be implemented and how it might reshape the competition’s future. The FA Cup continues to hold immense cultural and sporting significance in England, and any structural changes are likely to generate debate across the women’s football community for months to come.

The FA Cup reforms highlight tensions between maintaining tradition and pursuing modernisation, with commercial pressures and fan engagement at the centre of the discourse. Whether the proposed bracketed system will enhance the competition or dilute its historic appeal remains uncertain, yet the ongoing consultation process underscores the FA’s commitment to collaborative decision-making with the sport’s stakeholders.

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