Is the Community Shield considered a major trophy?
The Football Association (FA) says the Community Shield is "incomparable" to any other trophy, as fans debate whether it counts as a major piece of silverware.
The one-off competitive fixture is recognised as a domestic 'super cup' by the FA - and a game that "captures the excitement" of the new football season.
"It has been highly regarded and supported by the participating clubs and football fans for many years," said an FA spokesperson.
A major domestic trophy in England is considered to be the Premier League, FA Cup and the League Cup.
Views on the trophy vary amongst fans, as some may only consider the trophy to be major achievement if their club wins it.
For clubs, it is a chance to add silverware to their trophy cabinet before the new Premier League season starts.
The inaugural FA Charity Shield match - which evolved from the Sheriff of London Charity Shield - was held in 1908 at Stamford Bridge. First Division champions Manchester United overcame Southern League champions Queens Park Rangers 4-0 in a replay after a 1-1 draw.
United have won the season's curtain-raiser the most times, 21 in total with four of them shared titles, and it was renamed the Community Shield in 2002.
Premier League champions Arsenal face FA Cup winners Manchester City on Sunday, 16 August at 15:00 BST.
What do players and managers think?
The 2026 FA Cup was Pep Guardiola's last major trophy win as Manchester City's head coach
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres quashed any suggestions that Sunday's match is a friendly rather than a competitive match.
"Against City? As a friendly? What do you mean?" Gyokeres said to talkSPORT.
"I don't know what other people think but of course, we want to win that game for sure. There is no question about that."
Ahead of the 2025 edition of the Community Shield, former Liverpool boss Arne Slot welcomed the opportunity to pick up some early silverware in his first Community Shield involvement.
"Normally you win something at the end of the season. Now we have a chance to win something at the beginning of the season," he said ahead of that match.
Former Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who led the Eagles in their maiden Community Shield last year, also praised the prospect of taking on the defending Premier League champions in a Wembley curtain-raiser.
"It's much better than playing friendlies," he added. "It's a chance to win a trophy and the chance to compete with the champions.
"We want to show our personality again. We want to show we are able to compete with every single team.
"When you have the chance to win silverware, then go for it, and we will go for it."
Comments