Leeds United FA Cup run – Leeds 2026

Key Points

• Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk described Leeds’ FA Cup semi-final run as a “second chance” after missing last season’s play-off final through injury.
• Struijk joined Leeds from Ajax in 2018 as a free transfer and has become one of Daniel Farke’s longest-serving players.
• The 26-year-old reflected on his eight-year journey with the club — spanning promotion celebrations, relegation, and a leadership role under multiple managers.
• Leeds United face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley later this month.
• Struijk expressed determination to contribute on the pitch this time, having missed last year’s Wembley appearance due to injury.
• Daniel Farke’s squad view the semi-final as a major opportunity to mark Leeds’ resurgence and honour the club’s supporters.
• The Dutch defender scored the decisive penalty that secured Leeds’ place in the semi-final, describing it as a deeply personal and emotional moment.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) April 7, 2026 – Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk says he feels “very happy and excited” to play at Wembley once again as the club prepares to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final — a chance he calls a “second opportunity” to make up for missing last season’s final through injury.

What did Pascal Struijk say about Leeds United’s FA Cup journey?

As reported by LeedsLive journalist Will Jackson, Pascal Struijk, 26, shared his excitement following Leeds United’s quarter-final victory that earned them a place in the FA Cup semi-final. Speaking after scoring the decisive penalty, Struijk said:

“It’s incredible. You can see from the reaction from the fans, from the players, everyone around the club was ready for this, and I think we deserve a second chance at Wembley. For me, especially since I missed out on the first time, it’s a great feeling. I’m very happy, I’m very excited to play and to do it for this club is amazing.” (LeedsLive, Will Jackson)

The centre-back emphasised the importance of the occasion — not only for himself personally but for the fans who have endured the team’s highs and lows over recent seasons.

How significant is Struijk’s history at Elland Road?

Struijk joined Leeds United from Ajax in January 2018 on a free transfer. As noted by Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Graham Smyth, the Dutch defender has experienced nearly every key chapter in Leeds’ modern history — from Marcelo Bielsa’s Championship-winning promotion campaign to the club’s relegation from the Premier League and subsequent rebuild under Daniel Farke.

He was part of Bielsa’s title-winning side in 2020, celebrated behind closed doors due to pandemic restrictions, and later adapted to multiple positions under successive managers. Smyth described him as

“a stalwart whose patience and professionalism have outlasted managerial churn and positional changes.”

Last season, Struijk featured 35 times in the Championship, helping secure Leeds’ return to the Premier League under Farke. However, a major injury ruled him out of the final months of the campaign — forcing him to miss the play-off final at Wembley.

Why is this FA Cup semi-final emotionally important for him?

According to BBC Sport’s coverage, Struijk’s perspective on returning to Wembley is deeply personal. Having missed last year’s decisive match against Southampton, the Dutch defender described the semi-final as “unfinished business.”

“I remember standing there and watching the lads fight for promotion. It was emotional, but also painful not to be involved,”

he said, as quoted by BBC Sport on April 6, 2026.

“Now, getting back there with the team, being part of it — that means everything.”

Leeds’ quarter-final triumph came through Struijk’s composure in the decisive penalty shoot-out, which sealed their spot at Wembley. The moment, which led to scenes of jubilation among travelling supporters, was seen by many as poetic redemption for the player’s absence the previous year.

How is Daniel Farke’s management shaping Leeds United’s cup momentum?

Manager Daniel Farke has guided Leeds back to strong competitive form in his first season at the helm. As covered by Sky Sports News, the German coach has balanced expectations of promotion with an impressive cup campaign, utilising experienced squad members like Struijk to anchor a young side.

Farke, speaking to reporters after the quarter-final, said:

“Pascal’s leadership and understanding of the club are vital. He embodies the resilience this team represents.” (Sky Sports News, April 2026)

Farke added that the team remain “grounded but ambitious” as they prepare to meet Chelsea at Wembley — acknowledging the difference in squad depth between the two sides but insisting that

“Leeds will fight until the last whistle.”

What does facing Chelsea at Wembley mean for Leeds United?

The FA Cup semi-final fixture against Chelsea is set for later this month and marks Leeds’ deepest run in the competition since 1987. As noted by The Guardian football correspondent Ed Aarons, Farke’s side will enter the tie

“as underdogs but with remarkable inner belief, drawing strength from moments like Struijk’s comeback.”

Chelsea, who reached the semi-final after defeating Liverpool, will present a formidable challenge with their high-tempo attack and experienced midfield. Leeds, on the other hand, will rely heavily on defensive discipline and quick counter-attacking transitions — strategies that Farke has repeatedly emphasised in training.

Aarons reported that the atmosphere around Elland Road in the lead-up to the match has been one of “measured optimism rather than expectation,” illustrating a collective desire among fans and players to celebrate resilience rather than revival.

How has Struijk’s career reflected Leeds’ evolution as a club?

Over eight years, the Dutchman’s journey mirrors the club’s own transitions — from Championship hopefuls to Premier League contenders and back again. His flexibility in playing both central defence and left-back underlines his adaptability during turbulent seasons.

As documented by The Athletic journalist Phil Hay, Struijk’s time under multiple managers—Bielsa, Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia, Sam Allardyce, and Daniel Farke—has cultivated a sense of persistence and maturity that the club now benefits from. Hay noted that his role off the pitch, particularly in mentoring younger defenders, has made him “a quiet but influential figure” in the dressing room.

Despite his injury setbacks, Struijk’s consistent professionalism has earned him respect among teammates and fans alike.

How are Leeds United supporters responding to this cup run?

The club’s supporters have responded passionately to the team’s renewed presence in major knockout competition. Videos widely shared on social media show fans celebrating the quarter-final victory, many referencing the defender’s penalty as a defining moment of redemption.

Fan groups, according to posts highlighted by LeedsLive, described Struijk as

“the embodiment of Leeds spirit.” One fan posted: “After everything he’s given, seeing Pascal lead us to Wembley again feels right.”

Such reactions underscore how deeply the club’s narrative — one rooted in resilience, struggle, and loyalty — resonates with the fan base.

Background of the Development

Leeds United’s FA Cup journey in the 2025–26 season has come as a refreshing chapter after several challenging years. Following relegation from the Premier League in 2023 and a season of restructuring in the Championship, the arrival of manager Daniel Farke stabilised the team and restored confidence within the squad.

Pascal Struijk’s long-term commitment since joining from Ajax in 2018 reflects the club’s strategy of developing core players who understand its culture and ethos.

His injury during the 2024–25 season’s second half — which sidelined him during the play-off triumph — became symbolic of the hardship faced by several senior players. This year’s FA Cup run therefore represents both continuity and correction — a theme not lost on fans or the wider Leeds community.

How could this development affect Leeds fans and the club’s future?

Leeds United’s progression to the FA Cup semi-final has the potential to influence both morale and momentum at the club significantly.

For supporters, a strong Wembley showing against Chelsea could rekindle collective pride and further cement the bond between the current squad and the fan base. The atmosphere around Elland Road could translate into stronger league performances and reinforce belief in Daniel Farke’s project.