This is a day to enjoy, soak up and hopefully celebrate for all associated with Leeds United FC
05:00, 26 Apr 2026
Leeds United fans will travel in their masses for a special day
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Leeds United fans will travel in their masses for a special day(Image: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
This is a generational day for Leeds United supporters. Not for 39 years has the club reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Fathers, mothers and grandkids had only been able to dream when grandparents recounted their stories of the last time they reached this stage in 1987. For decades, it seemed as though such an opportunity would never come around again. Until now.
Daniel Farke has provided the younger generations the chance to make their own memories which they themselves can pass on. That’s why supporters will be soaking up the sights and sounds of the day as much as they can.
But, as in the words of captain and former Chelsea prodigy Ethan Ampadu: “We don’t just want to be there for it to be a big day - we are going there with an aim”. Leeds can sniff an upset.
Those of a certain age will remember the blood-and-thunder 1970 cup final replay against Chelsea at Old Trafford, which has been branded as one of the most violent games ever to have taken place.
Peter Osgood follows through on Jack Charlton
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Peter Osgood follows through on Jack Charlton(Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
It marked the peak of the rivalry between the two clubs and still fuels the animosity felt today, which only spurs the yearning within the fanbase to enact revenge on their rivals, who ultimately won that replay.
The current turmoil at the modern day Chelsea - whom Leeds beat in December and drew with in February - has seen their hot-handed owners sack head coach Liam Rosenior and promote assistant Calum McFarlane just four days before the FA Cup semi-final.
Their five-game goalless league losing streak is their worst run since 1912, some 114 years ago. The blue Titanic has hit an iceberg. Although Farke is still remaining cautious.
“I expect a side who will try to prove that it's a fresh start, and the burden is away,” said the 49-year-old. “I expect them to be back to their best free-flowing football.
“When everyone was talking about the manager and the recent game days - right now this excuse is away. It's up to the players to deliver, and everyone speaks [about how] they have to show the basics.
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“It's always the same when top-class players are showing the basics and have no excuses… it can be really, really dangerous. And for that, I expect a Chelsea side who will be back to their best.”
The change at the helm naturally makes Chelsea more unpredictable, though Farke - who will take on a third Blues manager this season - acknowledges that there is a limited amount of time for McFarlane to change too much inside just 96 hours.
Leeds can only control the controllables and part of that was making a swift exit from the Vitality Stadium following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, heading back up to Yorkshire less than an hour after the final whistle to rest up as best as possible.
Farke has set up preparations for the game as he would for any Premier League clash but he is all too aware of the chance to “write the chapter of history a bit more”. It has been 53 years since Leeds made the FA Cup final.
Daniel Farke speaks during a press conference
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Daniel Farke wants to create more history for Leeds United(Image: Getty Images)
The club have played at Wembley six times since then, winning the 1992 Charity Shield final against Liverpool remembered for Eric Cantona’s hat-trick. His third goal remains the last time Leeds scored at the national stadium, despite three further trips.
The most recent saw Leeds lose 1-0 to Southampton in the 2024 Championship play-off final in Farke’s first season. Wilfried Gnonto started that game and when asked if he feels like he has unfinished business at Wembley as a result, he replied: “Obviously, yeah.
“I feel like we can have a different ending this time. Winning the FA Cup - or getting to the final in this case - would be amazing.”
Gnonto is joined by Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Sam Byram Joel Piroe, Karl Darlow, Daniel James and Illan Meslier as the cohort of current Leeds squad members who suffered that heartbreak two years ago.
Pascal Struijk - who struck home the winning penalty against West Ham in the quarter-final shoot-out - was also present but did not make the squad due to injury. So, like many teammates, this will be the first time he plays under the Arch.
James Justin’s sole England cap came in Hungary so the 2021 FA Cup winner has never played at the stadium either. “I don’t know where the medal is, it’s somewhere at home,” said Justin, who was injured for the final when Leicester City won at Wembley.
Leeds United's James Justin scores
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Leeds United's James Justin scores vs Derby County in the third round(Image: PA)
“It was a bittersweet one to be honest. Obviously I had played in a couple of rounds before and did well, but to be injured while my teammates were out there, it was a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. At the end of the day it’s a team sport and I’ve still got a medal to show for it.
“I’ve never played at Wembley, so it’s an exciting prospect if I get selected. Everyone hears about how big the pitch is, how grand it feels so yeah I’m excited to get the chance to play it.”
Like Justin, who has been one of the bargains of the summer for an initial £8million fee, fellow recruit Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also not played a club game at Wembley, despite having done so for England last month.
"It's always going to be a difficult match against Chelsea,” said the 11-goal Leeds top scorer who scored two penalties - one in regulation time and one in the shoot-out - against West Ham. “They're a good side, but it's the FA Cup.”
The joy of the cup is that it is one game where the underdog can win out - just recall Macclesfield’s triumph over current holders Crystal Palace, who evoked their own Wembley upset last year. A decade ago, there were accusations that the cup had lost its magic.
Leeds United are Wembley bound
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Leeds United are Wembley bound(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
True, it is no longer the crown jewel of the season - the final being played before the closing Premier League weekend - but try telling a Leeds fan that this is not a special occasion.
More than 34,000 supporters will file into Wembley with many more making the trip down south to take over the capital and enjoy the atmosphere. “Our supporters are the biggest asset for this club,” said Farke.
“They have done so much to bring us and carry us in the cup competition. They should enjoy but also be greedy and try everything in order to make their voices clear and sing out loud and proud.”
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With Premier League survival all but secured and now a generational FA Cup occasion on the agenda, you can be sure they will.