Hull City will play European football next season.
The Tigers' qualification for the Europa League as FA Cup finalists was confirmed on Saturday evening.
Manchester City's 3-2 victory at Everton in the Premier League means Wembley opponents Arsenal are guaranteed a fourth-place finish and Champions League football.
That means City will enjoy a maiden adventure in Europe next season whatever the result of the cup final.
However, Steve Bruce has already stressed he wants to see his side qualify "the real way" by winning at Wembley, rather than relying on favours from rivals.
Pride is not the only factor at stake, as victory on May 17 would see City go into the Europa League group stages in September, whereas entering as FA Cup runners-up would mean beginning the competition in the third qualifying round in July and early August.
Bruce has previously told the Mail: "I'd like to do it the real way and that's beating Arsenal in the Cup final because then you don't have to go through all the qualifiers.
"If you get there as runners-up you could be looking at starting your season at the end of July I believe.
"It could be very difficult if we're playing at the end of July. That's what it would be like if we went that route."
Last season, English clubs faced opponents as diverse as Valencia and Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova. Swansea played Malmo in the third qualifying round. Qualification comes in a week that saw the 10th anniversary of the Tigers' promotion out of division three, and while progress in the Europa League will inevitably place additional demands on Bruce's squad next season, such concerns could hardly have been envisaged at the beginning of the season, let alone during the celebrations at Yeovil a decade ago. Bruce told the Mail before the defeat to Arsenal last month: "It's quite ridiculous that a year ago we were playing in the Championship. To even think about Hull City playing in Europe is incredible." City failed to win the point that would have confirmed Premier League survival on Saturday following a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa. However, following the relegation of Cardiff and Fulham, City fans will be able to relax if Norwich fail to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (kick-off 4pm).