September 4: Major Upsets in FA Cup! Shanghai Shenhua and Shandong Taishan Exit Together, Yunnan Yukun or Dalian Yingbo Set to Make History

The 2026 Chinese FA Cup came to an end on September 2 as Yunnan Yukun defeated Chongqing Tonglianglong 1-0 at home, completing all four quarter-final matches. Beijing Guoan, Shanghai Port, Yunnan Yukun and Dalian Yingbo, four teams from the Chinese Super League, advanced to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses Shanghai Shenhua and Shandong Taishan were eliminated on the night of September 1, ending their cup campaigns with some disappointment.

The highly anticipated semi-final matchups were then revealed. Beijing Guoan will face Shanghai Port in a Beijing-Shanghai derby, while Yunnan Yukun will meet Dalian Yingbo in a historic clash between second-year CSL teams. Notably, neither Yunnan Yukun nor Dalian Yingbo had previously reached the FA Cup final stage, meaning the winner of this matchup will make its first-ever appearance in the FA Cup final and create a historic chapter of its own.

Before reaching the semi-finals, three key advancement battles on September 1 had already produced their own dramatic stories. Beijing Guoan hosted Lanzhou Longyuan Athletic, the only Chinese second-tier team among the quarter-finalists, at Beijing Workers' Stadium. Guoan faced a strong challenge early, with the opponents scoring from a corner routine and a powerful long-range shot to create tension. However, the defending champions showed their quality and completed a 3-1 comeback victory after a tough battle. Deng Jiefu scored his first professional goal, Zhang Yuning sealed the win with a decisive goal at a crucial moment, and Cao Yongjing added a smart follow-up finish to complete the victory.

At the same time, at Jinan Olympic Sports Center, Shanghai Port traveled away to face Shandong Taishan in a highly anticipated matchup. Port showed remarkable attacking efficiency in the first half, scoring twice within four minutes to establish control. Yang Xi was especially impressive, contributing both a goal and an assist. After the break, Port added another goal to secure a commanding 3-0 victory and send Shandong Taishan out of the semi-finals.

On another pitch, Dalian Yingbo produced an even more dramatic storyline. Against the strong Shanghai Shenhua, Yingbo relied on captain Stanciu's stunning goal in the 54th minute to win 1-0 and eliminate Shenhua from the competition. At Suoyuwan Stadium, 53,178 spectators witnessed the club reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in its history, creating a remarkable atmosphere.

The upcoming semi-final matchups are filled with highlights and talking points. In particular, the Beijing Guoan versus Shanghai Port Beijing-Shanghai derby appears to have already ignited before kickoff. The two major clubs will not only meet in the FA Cup semi-finals but will also face each other again in the CSL on September 5, allowing fans to watch two encounters in a short period of time. Shanghai Port are full of confidence after a 3-0 win over Shandong Taishan, while defending champions Beijing Guoan also hold an advantage with home support. The Beijing-Shanghai rivalry has always attracted attention, and the combination of cup and league battles makes this matchup even more appealing for fans.

The race for AFC Champions League qualification has also added extra significance and motivation to this FA Cup. According to a supplementary notice issued by the Chinese Football Association on May 19, 2026, after the AFC expanded the AFC Champions League Elite competition to 32 teams with 16 places for the East Asia region, Chinese football will have two direct qualification places for the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite group stage and one direct place for the AFC Champions League Two. The allocation order states that the 2025 CSL champion and the 2026 FA Cup champion will directly qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite, while the CSL runner-up will secure a place in the AFC Champions League Two. In other words, winning the 2026 Chinese FA Cup will provide a valuable ticket to Asia's top club competition, the AFC Champions League Elite.

The new rules mean that Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Shenhua have lost their hopes of reaching the AFC Champions League Elite through the FA Cup. Shandong Taishan can now only pursue the AFC Champions League Two qualification spot associated with finishing second in the CSL. Shanghai Shenhua must shift their full focus back to the domestic league race. For Shanghai Port, Beijing Guoan, Yunnan Yukun and Dalian Yingbo, the four remaining teams in the cup, the FA Cup title represents not only an honor but also a pathway to Asia's highest level of club football, making it highly valuable and attractive.

According to the official schedule released by the Chinese Football Association, the FA Cup semi-finals are expected to be held on November 21 and 22, 2026, while the final has been confirmed for December 6, 2026, at Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre, known as the 'football city'. This will be the fifth time Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre has hosted the FA Cup final. The neutral venue setting adds more suspense and uncertainty to the decisive match.

Of course, the traditional giants with deep foundations cannot be overlooked. Beijing Guoan will aim to defend their title, while Shanghai Port are eager to lift the trophy again. The winner of their semi-final clash will undoubtedly gain an advantage on the road to the final. Whether it is Guoan versus Yukun, Guoan versus Yingbo, Port versus Yukun, or Port versus Yingbo at Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre in November, every possible final matchup promises to be an exciting football spectacle. For fans, every FA Cup match from September to December 2026 will be worth anticipating and watching closely. This could become one of the most suspenseful and historically significant editions of the Chinese FA Cup in recent years.