The FA Cup fifth round draw has thrown up some mouth-watering fixtures, but one matchup in particular is stealing the spotlight: Chelsea’s clash with Wrexham, the Championship side co-owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. This David vs. Goliath encounter promises drama, but here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Wrexham’s 1-0 squeaker over Ipswich in the fourth round has set the stage for a high-stakes showdown with the Blues. But is this the fairy tale we’re all rooting for, or will Chelsea’s Premier League prowess crush the underdog’s dreams?
Meanwhile, Arsenal, fresh off a commanding 4-0 victory over Wigan, faces a tricky away tie against League One’s Mansfield Town. The Gunners’ form has been impressive, but lower-league sides in the FA Cup are notorious for their grit and determination. Could this be the upset no one saw coming?
Liverpool, after dismantling Brighton 3-0, will travel to Wolves in a fixture that’s sure to test Jürgen Klopp’s squad. Wolves, known for their tenacity, could prove to be a stubborn opponent. And let’s not forget Manchester City’s trip to Newcastle—a game that pits Pep Guardiola’s tactical genius against the Magpies’ home advantage. Will City’s dominance continue, or will Newcastle pull off a shock result?
Elsewhere, Fulham hosts Southampton in an all-Championship affair, while Sunderland must wait until March to learn their fate, as Port Vale and Bristol City’s fourth-round tie was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Speaking of postponed drama, Macclesfield, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, could face West Ham if they overcome Brentford—a true underdog story in the making.
And this is the part most people miss: Daniel Farke’s Leeds United will face his former club, Norwich City, at Elland Road. Will emotions get the better of him, or will he mastermind a victory against his old side?
The fifth round matches are set for the weekend of March 7-8, 2026, and the full draw is as follows:
- Fulham vs Southampton
- Port Vale or Bristol City vs Sunderland
- Newcastle vs Man City
- Leeds vs Norwich
- Mansfield vs Arsenal
- Wolves vs Liverpool
- West Ham vs Macclesfield or Brentford
- Wrexham vs Chelsea
But here’s the burning question: With so many potential upsets and emotional storylines, which fixture are you most excited about? And do you think Wrexham’s Hollywood owners will be celebrating come March, or will Chelsea spoil the party? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
