The Football Association has appointed Darren England to referee the 2026 FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. The 40-year-old Sheffield & Hallamshire FA official will take charge of his 28th match across competitions this season.
England has been one of the busiest referees on the domestic and European schedule. In 27 outings this season he has issued 115 yellow cards, sent off three players for a second booking and awarded five penalties, while also handling fixtures in the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup and UEFA Europa League qualification.
Manchester City arrive with a long history under England’s whistle. He has overseen their matches 13 times across competitions, and City have lost one and drawn one of those games. In those meetings they have been shown 15 yellow cards, one straight red and have been awarded six penalties. This season alone, England has taken charge of City four times in the Premier League.
Those four league appointments included a 2-1 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion, a 1-0 win at Brentford, a 3-0 victory away at Crystal Palace and a 2-2 draw at home to Nottingham Forest. The figures give City a familiar reference point, even if Wembley brings a different stage and a different kind of pressure.
The rest of the final team was also confirmed, with Tim Wood and Akil Howson named as assistant referees, Steve Meredith as reserve assistant referee, Peter Bankes as video assistant referee, Nick Hopton as assistant video assistant referee and Sam Barrott as fourth official.
The match closes a season that has taken Chelsea through victories over Charlton Athletic, Hull City, Wrexham and Port Vale before a semi-final win over Leeds United, where Enzo Fernández scored the decisive goal. For Chelsea, it is a return to the competition’s biggest day and their 17th FA Cup final.
Manchester City reached their own landmark by becoming the first side to get to four consecutive FA Cup finals, and they booked this one with a comeback against Southampton after falling behind to a Finn Azaz goal before Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez turned the tie around. Pep Guardiola’s side also beat Exeter City, Salford City, Newcastle United and Liverpool on the way to Wembley.
England’s appointment puts a seasoned official at the center of a final that pairs two clubs used to playing under pressure. Chelsea’s path has come during a turbulent campaign that included the departure of Liam Rosenior and the arrival of interim boss Calum McFarlane, while City arrive chasing a ninth FA Cup title with a referee they know well already in place.
