Women’s FA Cup revamp on hold after ‘ridiculous idea’ criticism

February 19, 2026 No Comments

Women’s FA Cup revamp on hold after criticismImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Millie Bright captained Chelsea to victory in the competion last seasonPublished27 minutes ago9 Comments

Plans to change the format of the Women’s FA Cup, which would have seen four sides seeded and pathways to Wembley mapped out from the last 32 onwards, will not be introduced next season.

The proposals, first revealed by the Guardian, external this month, would prevent the top four sides from the previous season’s Women’s Super League (WSL) meeting until the semi-finals and end the use of draws from the fourth round onwards.

The FA had claimed it would create “high chances of consistent high-quality matches throughout the later rounds” and “strengthen commercial potential”.

But several official supporters’ clubs warned the steps would ruin the “magic” of the competition and see the biggest clubs “only get richer”.

The FA says it has listened to feedback and will hold off changing the cup’s structure while it gathers more views.

An FA statement stated: “We understand how much the competition means to clubs, players and fans across the pyramid, and it is important that all parties have enough time to share their views.

“As a result, we will be extending the consultation phase to allow for further engagement informed by the questions and comments raised.”

‘All about the money’

SheGulls, representing fans of WSL club Brighton & Hove Albion, had suggested seeding “elite level teams” would only widen the gulf in quality across the game.

“The sporting merit in our game is slowly being eroded in favour of ‘super matches’ between elite level teams,” the fan group wrote on X.

“The rich will only get richer and teams up and down the pyramid will fade into obscurity with the knowledge that without tens of millions of pounds, they won’t even sniff the big time.”

Fulham Women Supporters’ Club, whose side play in the fourth tier, labelled it a “ridiculous idea” and added: “[It] goes against all the principles of the FA Cup. I’d like to see WSL teams actually come in a round early.”

“And there goes the magic of the FA Cup! Subway Cup [League Cup] is a farce, now this?” added Everton Women’s Official Supporters Club.

“All about the money. Didn’t take long to ruin the women’s game too did it…”

The Women’s FA Cup currently follows the same format as the men’s competition, with a draw following each round.

There is a preliminary round and three qualifying rounds featuring teams from tiers four to seven of the pyramid, with Women’s National League teams entering in the first-round proper, WSL2 teams in the third round and sides from the top division a round later.

The proposals came to light less than a fortnight after a major revamp of the Women’s League Cup was unveiled, with the competition set to get a new name and follow the format of the Champions League from the group stage next season.

‘Women’s FA Cup revamp would ruin the magic’
Women’s League Cup to undergo name and format changes

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women’s Super League and beyond on the Women’s Football Weekly feed