In football, the FA Cup is a tournament that fans have certainly heard of. It is one of the most popular tournaments today and is held at the same time as the UEFA Champions League (C1 Cup) and UEFA Europa League (C2 Cup). So what is the FA Cup? What is the format of this tournament? Let’s find out more details in the article below.
1. What is the FA Cup?
The FA Cup (Football Association Challenge Cup), also known as the FA Cup, is an ancient and prestigious football tournament in England. It has been organized annually by the Football Association since 1871 and is considered the oldest domestic cup tournament in the world.
The FA Cup is a competition for teams from all divisions in England, including teams from the English Premier League and lower divisions. It’s an attractive tournament, with tradition and the ability to create big surprises when small teams can beat the big ones.
The tournament was played through many qualifying rounds, from the preliminary round to the final round. FA Cup matches are usually played in the form of home team ground kicks. In the event of a tie after 90 minutes, the match will resume with extra time and/or penalty kicks to determine the winner.
FA Cup winners will be awarded the prestigious FA Cup and have the opportunity to participate in next season’s FA Community Shield, where they will face the Premier League champions.
The FA Cup has created many legends and records in English football history and is an important part of English football heritage and tradition.
2. What is the FA Cup format?
The FA Cup (Football Association Challenge Cup) can be contested according to the following stages:
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Qualification: Teams from the lowest divisions enter the FA Cup qualifying round. Teams playing in the divisional system of The Football Association (The Football Association) compete in the qualifying round to earn the right to the next round.
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Preliminary Round: Teams from the lowest divisions participate in the preliminary round. The match takes place at the home team’s home ground. The winners of this round move on to the next round.
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Pre-Final Qualifying: This is the final stage of qualifying before the team advances to the final round. Teams playing in the higher divisions took part in the pre-final round.
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Final Round: After passing the qualifying rounds, teams qualify for the final round. This is the most important phase of the FA Cup. Matches are played on neutral ground, usually at Wembley Stadium in London. Finals matches are usually played in a knockout format.
In the event of a tie after 90 minutes, the game will resume with extra time. If there is still a tie after extra time, the game will be decided by a penalty shootout.
3. Which teams can participate in the FA Cup?
If you have a clear understanding of what the FA Cup is, you will know that this tournament has the participation of hundreds of teams from across the UK. Here is the list of teams eligible to participate in the FA Cup:
English Premier League (Premier League) Teams: This is the top division and top teams in England including big boys like Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and many more. others.
English Football League Championship: The second division in England has the participation of teams such as Norwich City, Watford, Bournemouth and others.
English Football League One: The Third Division in England has the participation of teams such as Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth and others.
English Football League Two: The fourth division in England includes teams such as Forest Green Rovers, Tranmere Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and others.
Non-professional league teams: teams from the National League and other non-professional leagues such as the Isthmian League, Northern Premier League and Southern Football League.
Provincial and local league teams: Provincial and local league teams such as FA Vase, FA Trophy and other local leagues may have the opportunity to participate in the FA Cup qualifier.
Additionally, the winning teams from the lowest tier qualifiers also have the chance to advance to the FA Cup final and play against the top teams.
4. What are the rules for participating in the FA cup?
When participating in the FA Cup (Football Association Challenge Cup), teams must adhere to a number of tournament regulations and rules. Here are some important rules:
Sign up for a team
Teams must register to participate in the FA Cup by the stated deadline. Information on the list of players and team coaches should be provided and updated in a timely manner.
Local conditions
Teams participating in the FA Cup must comply with local regulations, including proper use of the stadium, and observe safety and order rules.
Player Rules
Teams must adhere to age rules and contractual status of players when participating in the FA Cup. Players must meet registration requirements and not breach employment and transfer contract regulations.
Arbitration Rules
FA Cup matches will be attended by official referees appointed by the Football Association. Rules on the role and authority of the referee must be observed throughout the game.
Device Rules
Teams must adhere to equipment and dress regulations when playing. This includes the use of appropriate balls, jerseys, footwear and protective equipment that comply with the regulations of the English Football Association.
Discipline and Sanctions Regulations
Teams and individuals participating in the FA Cup must comply with the regulations on discipline and penalties. Violations can be sanctioned by suspension, suspension or financial penalties.
The detailed rules governing participation in the FA Cup may change from season to season. Therefore, teams should consult updated information from the English Football Association and the tournament organization to understand the current regulations.
5. List of FA Cup winners
Here is a list of the teams that have won the most FA Cup titles since the tournament was held:
Arsenal – 14 times (1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020)
Manchester United – 12 times (1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2016)
Chelsea – 8 times (1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018)
Tottenham Hotspur – 8 times (1901, 1921, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, 1982, 1991)
Liverpool – 7 times (1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2001, 2006)
Aston Villa – 7 times (1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957)
Newcastle United – 6 times (1910, 1924, 1932, 1951, 1952, 1955)
Blackburn Rovers – 6 times (1884, 1885, 1886, 1890, 1891, 1928)
Everton – 5 times (1906, 1933, 1966, 1984, 1995)
Manchester City – 6 times (1904, 1934, 1956, 1969, 2011, 2019)
This is a list of teams that have won multiple FA Cup titles in the history of the tournament. Numbers may change from season to season as the league progresses.
6. TOP 3 most memorable FA Cup matches
The FA Cup (FA Cup) has seen many dramatic and memorable matches in its history. Here are the three most memorable FA Cup matches:
2006 FA Cup Final – Liverpool v West Ham United
The match, played on 13 May 2006 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, is considered one of the greatest FA Cup finals in history. The match ended in a 3-3 draw after 90 minutes and even extra time. Liverpool won after a penalty shootout with a score of 3-1. This match was rated as the most dramatic and thrilling FA Cup final for many years.
1988 FA Cup Final – Wimbledon v Liverpool
The match was played on May 14, 1988 at Wembley Stadium in London. Wimbledon, a fifth-tier team, shocked the world by beating Liverpool, one of the top teams at the time, 1-0. This game is considered one of the unexpected and emotional FA Cup finals.
1953 FA Cup Final – Blackpool v Bolton Wanderers
The match was played on May 2, 1953 at Wembley Stadium. The match became known as the “Celebratory Wembley Match” and is remembered as the “Defenderless Match” as neither defender scored. At the end of the match, the score was 4-3 in favor of Blackpool. This match is famous for its attacking play and dramatic play, and is considered one of the classics of the FA Cup.
I hope with the above article you have a better understanding of what the FA Cup is? Besides knowing more about how the teams compete in this tournament?
