Why Is Erling Haaland Not Playing Tonight for Manchester City vs Southampton?

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Why Is Erling Haaland Not Playing Tonight for Manchester City vs Southampton?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Apr 25, 2026 11:50 AM ET

Manchester City will play against Southampton in the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley Stadium. Man City are one win away from reaching another FA Cup final, but the lineup has surprised fans.

The match against Southampton features a rotated lineup for Manchester City in comparison to their previous two Premier League matches this past week.

There are a few regular starters in the starting lineup, like Rayan Cherki, but one big miss is Erling Haaland, who scored in the previous two games for Man City. Haaland scored in Manchester City's last game, in the 1-0 away win over Burnley.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor on April 22, 2026 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Haaland is featured on the Manchester City bench for the match against Southampton today for the FA Cup semifinal.

Haaland scored a hat trick against Liverpool in the previous round of the FA Cup earlier this month, when Manchester City defeated Liverpool 4-0.

Pep Guardiola on Squad Selection vs Southampton

Erling Haaland is not injured and could potentially play in the second half against Southampton, but his absence from the starting lineup is questioned.

Pep Guardiola has made eight changes to the lineup from the previous league game against Burnley.

Guardiola has decided to start Man City legend John Stones in the lineup. He briefly talked about the sqaud selection.

Guardiola said, "Well, I have a lot of experience - I don't want to sound arrogant - but in these stages, when you play every three days in semi-finals of the FA Cup, coming from three days and travel, I felt incredible loss of energy, fatigue, mentally."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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