FA Cup has lost none of its luster
You don’t have to go far back to find people saying the FA Cup was the best domestic cup competition in the world. In fact, no matter where you look on the internet, it is still in the top ten football tournaments. In addition to the World Cup, the Copa Libertadores and more, you will […]
You don’t have to go far back to find people saying the FA Cup was the best domestic cup competition in the world. In fact, no matter where you look on the internet, it is still in the top ten football tournaments.
In addition to the World Cup, the Copa Libertadores and more, you will see the oldest competition in national football. It was first played during the 1871–72 season and was won by Wanderersa club from London that no longer exists in their original form.
Since that first final, the FA Cup has been the showpiece final for the sport across the UK. As time has gone on, fans and broadcasters from all corners of the world have tried to get in on the action. Looking at the list of those who show the competition shows that there is still a desire for it too. ESPN+ is the home of the FA Cup in the US, and that’s just one of a seemingly endless list of broadcasters eager to show the matches. From Bhutan to Zambia, fans can watch the minnows of semi-professional football attempt to topple the big boys of England’s Premier League.
FA Cup Final 2022 figures
Last year’s final between Chelsea and Liverpool drew more than 12 million interested fans in the UK. A number that appealed to former England striker and current broadcaster Gary Lineker.
It’s a pity, however, that some of the UK’s top clubs don’t seem so keen on the competition. Clubs and their respective fans say they want success. But to get it, it’s the domestic league that brings the spoils far greater than those in the FA Cup. For example, Liverpool won around $4 million when they lifted the trophy in May 2022.
It is easy to understand why many considered the battle for Premier League status more important than the FA Cup winners. Those who don’t take it so seriously also make it clear. Like many of the top teams rotate their huge squads, bringing in youngsters and those on the fringes of their usual teams instead of their main stars.
Wolves, for example, made NINE changes to their squad ahead of this weekend’s clash with Liverpool.
Yet some still consider the FA Cup essential
Although some top clubs may not feel that the FA Cup has the same prestige it used to have. Watch the draw between Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle United. Wednesday is still a big club despite being out of the Premier League since 2000. But in terms of current resources, it was almost a tie between David and Goliath. And at night, Sheffield Wednesday defeated Newcastlea Premier League club chasing a place in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Newcastle rotated their squad a bit, but showed respect by still signing players worth more than $70 million, and brought in former MLS star Miguel Almiron to try and turn the tie in their favour, but it was allowed to no avail. The atmosphere in the ground was electric among the Wednesday fans and even more so during full-time. Try telling them the FA Cup isn’t that important.
There is no doubt that the FA Cup is still something that stirs the emotions of fans of the sport around the world. Not only are the matches well attended in stadiums, there were also past ones 500 million which saw Mo Salah and teammates lift the trophy in last year’s world.
It shows that the 150-year-old competition is still one of the most important in world football. It was arguably the blueprint for all others to follow, and may it remain so for a long time to come.
Photo: IMAGO / Sportimage
#Cup #lost #luster
——-
English fa cup,FA cup,Newcastle United,Sheffield Wednesday
——-
