Everton are hopeful of playing European football next season – and the FA Cup semi-final draw has potentially helped the Toffees’ cause.
David Moyes has Everton in a great position right now.
Seven games left and on 46 points – how many points do you expect Everton to finish on? 🤔
David Moyes, manager of Everton, claps fans after a 3-0 win in the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea.
Credit: Getty Images/Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto
Everton sit eighth in the table, but they are only three points off the Champions League places.
The 3-0 win over Chelsea before the international break was a stunning result that has seemingly breathed new life into the club ahead of the run-in.
Given how many clubs are in the mix right now, it will be tough for Everton to get European football.
But Sunday’s semi-final draw was exactly what Everton needed.
How FA Cup semi-final draw could help Everton play in Europe
Everton manager David Moyes cheering.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Of course, Everton’s FA Cup run was short-lived in 2025/26, as the Toffees lost to Sunderland back in January in the third round.
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But the competition could still turn out to be a source of joy.
On Sunday, the semi-final draw was done after Leeds United beat West Ham United on penalties.
And Leeds have been drawn against Chelsea, while Manchester City have got Southampton.
That Chelsea and Manchester City have avoided each other is potentially good news for Everton.
If the FA Cup winner finishes in a Champions League position, their Europa League spot would be transferred to the next-highest ranked team in the Premier League that hasn’t already qualified for Europe. This is usually the team in sixth or seventh.
If the winner has already secured a European place through their league finish, the FA Cup’s Europa League spot again rolls down to the next-best placed team without a European ticket.
At the moment, the Premier League is on track to get five Champions League spots due to its high UEFA coefficient would likely push European qualification down to eighth.
If all goes to form, Chelsea and City will meet in the final and that will open up 7th and 8th in the league as European spots, which Everton will be looking to grab. Europe looks more on than ever with that FA Cup draw.
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