Carabao Cup final 2026 LIVE: Date, kick-off time, time news and talkSPORT commentary as Arsenal take on Man City

Mar 15, 2026 - 17:15

The 2025/26 Carabao Cup final is coming up as Arsenal and Manchester City compete for the first piece of silverware for the season.

With the Premier League and FA Cup decided further down the line, clubs have a chance to lift an early trophy with EFL Cup glory.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta shakes hands with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola — Arteta and Guardiola will be in the opposing dugouts at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final

Last year’s edition saw Newcastle end a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Wembley.

The Magpies‘ defence saw them reach the semi-finals, where they were thrashed 5-1 by Manchester City over two legs.

In the other last-four clash, Chelsea were beaten 4-2 on aggregate by Arsenal, with the Gunners doing enough to see off their London rivals.

So as the Carabao Cup comes towards its conclusion, here is all you need to know about the clash…

How to follow Carabao Cup final

The 2026 Carabao Cup final will be held on Sunday, March 22.

It will be played at Wembley Stadium with kick off set for 4:30pm.

For the second year in a row, the 2026 showpiece is later than previous years, with the Carabao Cup final usually played in February.

It coincides with the Gameweek 31 in the Premier League, meaning the Arsenal and Man City have had their fixtures rescheduled.

talkSPORT will have live commentary of the game with Adrian Durham, Jim Proudfoot and former England internationals Darren Bent and Stuart Pearce.

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, hugs Declan Rice after the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Chelsea — Mikel Arteta is hoping to end Arsenal’s trophy drought and set up a fantastic end to the season

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The final will also be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Football, with further details to follow.

Antoine Semenyo celebrates his goal against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup — Antoine Semenyo helped fire Manchester City to Wembley to take on Arsenal

Route to the final

Arsenal

Third round: Port Vale (A) – 0-2
Fourth round: Brighton (H) – 2-0
Quarter-finals: Crystal Palace (H) – 1-1 (9-8 on penalties)
Semi-finals first leg: Chelsea (A) – 2-3
Semi-finals second leg: Chelsea (H) – 1-0

Man City

Third round: Huddersfield (A) – 0-2
Fourth round: Swansea (A) – 1-3
Quarter-finals: Brentford (H) – 2-0
Semi-finals first leg: Newcastle (A) – 0-2
Semi-finals second leg: Newcastle (H) – 3-1

Team news for Carabao Cup final

Arsenal should have Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White back.

Calafiori was down to start in the FA Cup tie against Wigan before being withdrawn before kick-off, and White went off during the contest.

Both could return but Jurrien Timber may miss out.

Mikel Merino will definitely miss the game with a damaged foot while Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard are also doubts.

Meanwhile, Man City will hope to have Josko Gvardiol back.

They have also been boosted by the return of Ruben Dias and John Stones in recent games.

But Marc Guehi will be ineligible due to not being signed before the first semi-final.

Riccardo Calafiori in Arsenal warm-up training — Calafiori is a doubt for Arsenal with the player needing a scan on an unidentified injury

Which team has the most Carabao Cup wins?

Liverpool boast the most English League Cup titles, having won the competition a record 10 times.

The Reds most recently tasted glory in 2022 and 2024, but are unable to add to their collection this year, after being knocked by Crystal Palace in the fourth round back in October.

Man City rank second in this category, with eight wins overall – six of which have come in the last 12 years.

After winning the 2014 edition, the Citizens went on to lift the trophy five times between 2016 and 2021.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have won the third-most League Cups with a total of six, the latest of which came with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle in the 2023 final.

The Red Devils suffered the shock of this season’s competition, being knocked out by League Two Grimsby in the second round.

Rounding off the most successful clubs are Aston Villa and Chelsea, who have each won five Carabao Cups, while Nottingham Forest boast four titles, coming in two back-to-back spells in 1978 and 1979, and again in 1989 and 1990.

What has been said about Carabao Cup final?

Guardiola believes that Guehi should be allowed to play in the final against Arsenal and had hoped to get the rule changed.

He said: “Hopefully in March, we can arrive with the players fit and hopefully you can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc Guehi can play in the final.

“Because it’s difficult to understand that the club who make a big investment to pay one player who belongs to us and I don’t understand why he cannot play the final.

“So, hopefully we write a letter, and hopefully the Carabao Cup can understand.

“He’s not able to play for a rule that I don’t understand why. Hopefully, they can change it.”