The competition was originally stopped in January after the suspension of 'non-elite' sport; the FA has released its roadmap outlining its return; subsequent ties up to the fourth round to follow last remaining first round tie
Thursday 4 March 2021 17:36, UK
The Women's FA Cup will make its return from March 31, the Football Association (FA) has announced.
The FA has been in talks with FIFA and the competition after the fifth round can go into next season if required.
The competition was originally halted in January after the suspension of 'non-elite' sport.
An FA statement read: "The Football Association is pleased to confirm that following the Government's recent roadmap announcement which will see the safe return of grassroots football from 29 March, the 2020/2021 Vitality Women's FA Cup will recommence at the end of this month.
"With the recent announcement that the suspension will be lifted in a few weeks, The FA is in a position to reschedule the first four rounds of the competition - with one tie still to be played in the first round and 17 in the second round, before the third and fourth rounds can be played."
As a result, the remaining fixture in the first round will take place on March 31, followed by the second round from April 4, third round from April 11 and fourth round from April 18.
Women's Super League (WSL) and Women's Championship sides enter the competition from the fourth round stage.
Manchester City are the FA Cup holders, having beaten Everton 3-1 after extra-time in last November's re-scheduled final.
