Max Wilkins

Mon 6 April 2026 11:10, UK

Leeds United have European qualification in their sights after reaching the FA Cup semi-final.

The Whites are into the last four of the historic tournament for the first time since 1987, thanks to a penalty shootout win over West Ham on Sunday.

Despite nearly throwing the game away by conceding two in added time, the LS11 outfit came together to hand Pascal Struijk a chance to secure victory.

He did exactly that and the Yorkshire club have now booked themselves a Wembley date against Chelsea with a view to reaching the final.

Leeds will now prepare Liam Rosenior’s side, with many fans believing that a win would secure European qualification, but that isn’t the case.

How can Leeds United qualify for Europe through the FA Cup?

Often, the competition winners have already qualified for continental football through the Premier League while also lifting the cup.

Crystal Palace and Manchester United have bucked that trend in recent years, but were the first since Arsenal in 2020.

The Red Devils and the Gunners entered the Europa League, while complications over ownership saw Palace dropped into the Conference League.

Leeds will be hopeful of doing that themselves, but must win the FA Cup to secure qualification for themselves.

There is talk between fans suggesting that a win against Chelsea and a place in the final would be enough, but that isn’t the case.

FA Cup prize money is on its way to Leeds, but there is no guarantee of a Europa League spot at this stage.

When did European qualification rules change in the FA Cup?

Supporters are correct in thinking that a spot in the final against a team already qualified for Europe would be a guarantee of your own qualification.

Over the years, the likes of Hull City, Stoke City and Portsmouth have featured on the continent despite losing in the final at Wembley.

They would usually enter in the early qualifier rounds, and in the case of the Tigers, they were dumped out by KSC Lokeren in August 2014.

That rule was abolished in 2015, when UEFA changed the rules so that the Europa League spot went to the next team in the Premier League table.

Aston Villa were the first side to feel the wrath of the legislation change, and Leeds could find themselves in that frustrating situation in the coming weeks.