The 2025 FA Cup Final, scheduled for Saturday evening (May 17, 2025), is shaping up to be much more than just a battle for silverware. Beyond the immediate glory of lifting the iconic FA Cup, the result of the high-stakes encounter between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium will have far-reaching consequences for European football next season.
This year’s final doesn’t only crown the winner of the oldest football competition in the world—it will also play a pivotal role in determining the final allocation of Premier League clubs to European competitions for the 2025/26 season.
Premier League’s European Slots: The Changing Landscape
Due to the impressive performances of English clubs in UEFA competitions throughout the 2024/25 campaign, the Premier League has secured five automatic slots for the UEFA Champions League next season. This adjustment pushes the UEFA Europa League spot down to the sixth-placed team in the league standings, making the FA Cup final even more critical.
The implications of the Wembley result will directly influence the hopes and dreams of several mid-table teams still chasing the elusive European qualification spots.
What Happens If Crystal Palace Wins the FA Cup ?
Currently sitting in 12th place in the Premier League standings, Crystal Palace cannot finish any higher than ninth, regardless of their remaining fixtures. Thus, the FA Cup presents the only route for the Eagles to secure a place in Europe for the 2025/26 season.
Should Palace upset the odds and triumph over City at Wembley, they would automatically earn a ticket to the UEFA Europa League, bypassing all league considerations. This would effectively block other Premier League teams positioned just below the European places from sneaking into the continental competitions through league standing, shutting down one of the last remaining backdoor entries into Europe.
What If Manchester City Lifts the FA Cup Trophy?
Manchester City, currently entrenched in fourth place, are already guaranteed European football next season—whether in the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League, depending on their final league position.
If Pep Guardiola’s side adds the FA Cup to their trophy cabinet and simultaneously qualifies for Europe via the league, the European spot reserved for the FA Cup winner would be redistributed. It would then go to the highest-placed team in the league that has not yet qualified for Europe.
In this scenario, the opportunity could cascade down to the seventh or even eighth-placed team, depending on how the final Premier League standings pan out. This domino effect is what keeps hopes alive for teams like Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, AFC Bournemouth, and Fulham—clubs that are closely monitoring the outcome at Wembley.
Newcastle United Adds More Complexity to the Equation
Newcastle United adds another layer of intrigue to the European qualification matrix. The Magpies have already secured a top-seven finish and clinched the EFL Cup earlier this season, which initially handed them a spot in the UEFA Conference League.
However, if Newcastle finishes in the Premier League’s top five, their EFL Cup-earned Conference League slot would also be passed down to the next team in the standings that hasn’t qualified yet.
If Manchester City also wins the FA Cup, the ripple effect could see as many as two European places being handed down to the eighth position—potentially creating a lifeline for mid-table teams chasing their European dream.
Four Clubs with Renewed European Aspirations
For Brentford and Bournemouth, the dream is tantalizingly close. Neither club has ever graced a UEFA competition, and the perfect storm of final results could see them embark on their maiden European adventures.
Brighton & Hove Albion, on the other hand, are eyeing a return to European football after their recent foray into the Europa League. Fulham, too, would relish the opportunity to make their fourth appearance in continental competition.
This is why fans of these clubs may find themselves in the unusual position of cheering on Manchester City at Wembley. A victory for City could open the gateway for these clubs to step onto the European stage, fulfilling ambitions that seemed out of reach just a few weeks ago.
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