
<p>You don’t have to go back too far to find people saying that the FA Cup was the best domestic cup competition in the world. In fact, wherever you look around the internet, it’s still listed amongst the top ten tournaments in soccer.</p>



<p>Alongside the likes of the World Cup, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-libertadores-tv-schedule/">Copa Libertadores</a> and more, you’ll see the oldest competition in the domestic game. It was first played back during the 1871-72 season, and was won by <a href="https://www.footballhistory.org/club/wanderers.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wanderers</a>, a club from London who no longer exist in their original form. </p>



<p>Since that first final, the FA Cup was the showpiece final for the sport across the UK. As time wore on, across all corners of the world fans and broadcasters alike have all looked to get in on the action. By looking at the list of those who show the competition, it shows there’s still a desire for it too. <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN+</a> is the home of the FA Cup in the US, and that’s just one of a seemingly endless list of broadcasters itching to show the matches. From Bhutan to Zambia, fans can watch the minnows of semi-professional soccer trying to overturn the big boys of the English Premier League.</p>



<h2>2022 FA Cup Final numbers</h2>



<p>Last year’s final between Chelsea and Liverpool attracted over 12 million interested fans in the UK. A number which was pleasing to former England striker and current broadcaster, Gary Lineker.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Amazing viewing figures for the FA Cup Final yesterday. 8 million of you watched on <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCOne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCOne</a> alone…and another 4.1 million requests on <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCiPlayer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCiPlayer</a>. Football 💪🏻</p>— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1525788408961982465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>However, it’s a shame, that some of the top clubs in the UK don’t seem as enthused in the competition. Clubs and their respective fans say they want success. But to get it, it’s domestic league competition that brings the spoils much bigger than those in the FA Cup. For instance, Liverpool won around $4 million when they lifted the trophy in May 2022. </p>



<p>It’s easy to see why many put the fight for Premier League status ahead of being named FA Cup winners. Those who don’t take it as seriously make it obvious too. As many of the top tier teams rotate their massive squads, bringing in youngsters and those on the fringes of their usual teams instead of their headline stars. </p>



<p>Wolves for example made NINE changes to their squad ahead of facing Liverpool over the weekend. </p>



<h4>Yet some still see the FA Cup as vital</h4>



<p>Although, some top clubs may not feel the FA Cup holds the same prestige as it once did. Look at the tie 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 David vs Goliath tie. And on the evening, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/jan/07/sheffield-wednesday-v-newcastle-fa-cup-third-round-live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sheffield Wednesday beat Newcastle</a>, a Premier League club hunting a place in the UEFA Champions League next season. </p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="*SHOCKING FA CUP UPSET* Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Newcastle away day vlog" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q8txcJ9TUUI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Newcastle rotated their squad a little, but showed respect by still including players worth over $70 million, and brought on former MLS Star Miguel Almiron to try and turn the tie in their favor but it was to no avail. The atmosphere in the ground was electric amongst the Wednesday fans and even more so at full time. Try telling them the FA Cup isn’t as important.</p>



<p>There’s no doubt 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 over <a href="//sensuinsight.com/global-brand-research-fa-cup-final/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">500 million</a> who viewed Mo Salah and teammates lift aloft the trophy in last year’s final worldwide.</p>



<p>It shows&nbsp;the 150 year old competition is still one of the most important in world soccer. It arguably was the blueprint for all others to follow, and long may that continue.</p>



<p><em>Photo: IMAGO / Sportimage</em></p>


The FA Cup might not be the one everyone talks about, but it's still a competition which attracts fans from across the world.

FA Cup has lost none of its shine - World Soccer Talk

FA Cup has lost none of its shine

destacadas


<p>As England left their training base today they will have no doubt still been dreaming of what might have been after the heart-breaking loss to France, in the <a href="https://www.worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> Quarter-Final at the Al Bayt Stadium last night.</p>



<p>Talk will long linger about the penalty that might have been, the one which was missed, and the decision making of the officials. But, England’s performance in Qatar breathed new life into the future of Gareth Southgate as the national team manager.</p>



<p>Just a month or so ago, dissenters suggested it should be the final hurrah for Southgate, after a horrendous run of form before the team headed out to Qatar. England went six games without a win before they <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/iran-blown-out-by-england-in-disappointing-world-cup-opener-20221121-WST-409276.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dismantled Iran in their World Cup opener</a>. </p>



<p>Even that blowout of Iran didn’t stir the soul of those same people who were down on the England manager. As some said it should be expected to run rampant over such a lowly nation. </p>



<p>Then, when England were pushed very hard by the USA, the negative voices got a little louder. &nbsp;</p>



<p>On that occasion it wasn’t the lack of victory, the manner of the performance caused the consternation. It all seemed slow, too safe and there was a distinct lack of penetration. Team selection was criticized, and doubts were cast about the prospects of qualification. </p>



<p>Although only a four goal thumping by Wales in the final group game would see the Three Lions go home.</p>



<p>However, the game against the Welsh flipped the script, as Southgate went with a more attacking line up. England strolled beyond Wales who were made to look a mere shadow of their usual hardworking selves and it was Robert Page’s side going home, not Southgate’s.</p>



<h5>The conversation changed against Senegal</h5>



<p>The way the Three Lions put Senegal to the sword in the round of 16 was frighteningly good. Aside from one chance before England took the lead, the result was never in doubt. </p>



<p>Southgate’s side looked composed on the ball, well organized and focused on the game plan with a rather attack minded starting line-up. </p>



<p>They lured in their opponents and hit them with a sucker punch to get ahead, and then there was only one team in the game. Southgate clearly saw that as the way forward, and it totally opposed what many had seen from England. Who had been labelled as slow, predictable, and far from the sum of their parts.</p>



<p>Against France, the line-up remained the same, however the one ripple in the game plan was the need to cull the threat one of the deadliest strikers in the world, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/world-cup-2022-kylian-mbappe-an-off-the-planet-player-wants-to-beat-all-the-records-150325469.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kylian Mbappe</a>. </p>



<p>Before kick-off, the forward had netted five of France’s goals and was the fulcrum for almost everything in an attacking sense.</p>



<h5>Southgate got tactics right</h5>



<p> Kyle Walker, had the experience to deal with him and as the game wore on, there was little said about Mbappe and more of England’s attacking prowess.</p>



<p>It showed Southgate got it right, one of the world’s leading lights didn’t shine bright at all. They even exploited the spaces he left behind, and that’s despite Walker being unable to help Bukayo Saka in an attacking sense. </p>



<p>Saka was terrific cutting his own path through the France defence, who resorted to aggression and fouling him to stop him. </p>



<p>England were progressive in their play, and in the second half in particular looked like the more likely team to win. </p>



<p>They had a real dynamism, with Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson’s energy and Declan Rice marshalling anything ahead of the back four.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another look at Harry Kane&apos;s missed penalty <a href="https://t.co/84Nvg27JcL">pic.twitter.com/84Nvg27JcL</a></p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1601679832483504129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Ultimately though when it comes to the best teams facing off, games are won and lost in the blink of an eye.</p>



<p> After a very good defensive performance from England, they once lost sight of Olivier Giroud and he heads home in typical style. Then the usually ever reliable Harry Kane blazes a penalty over the top. Fine margins indeed.</p>



<p>While the record books will forever read, England 1 France 2. Anyone who had the pleasure of watching the game will say it should have been the Three Lions facing Morocco in the Semi-finals and not France. </p>



<p>England deserved to go further, and that is <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12766073/reporter-notebook-what-next-for-southgate-and-england" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thanks to Gareth Southgate</a>. With the European Championships coming up in 18 months, it gives him one more hit at glory with this extremely talented and exciting England squad.</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: IMAGO / Xinhua</em></p>



<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
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Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
</div>
</div>


A look at why Gareth Southgate should take charge of England for Euro 2024 to attempt one last hurrah as national team manager.

Gareth Southgate has earned one more shot at England glory - World Soccer Talk

Gareth Southgate has earned one more shot at England  glory

Experienced journalist with over 10 years sports experience, mainly in soccer. Season ticket holder in the EFL, long suffering England fan.

Terry Hibberd

STORIES BY Terry Hibberd

FA Cup

FA Cup has lost none of its shine

England

Gareth Southgate has earned one more shot at England glory