FA Cup draw sets up Mansfield v Arsenal and Man City trip to Newcastle
The fifth-round draw for the Emirates FA Cup has produced a string of high-profile ties, with League One side Mansfield Town handed a dream home tie against Arsenal and Manchester City drawn away to Newcastle United. The matches are scheduled across the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET).
David v Goliath: Mansfield to host Arsenal after Turf Moor upset
Mansfield Town's reward for a stunning victory at Turf Moor is a date with one of the competition's most successful clubs. The League One Stags reached the fifth round for the first time since 1975 after coming from behind to beat Premier League Burnley 2-1, and will now welcome Arsenal to Field Mill. It is a high-profile assignment for Mansfield, who will aim to harness the momentum from the upset and the unique atmosphere a home cup tie can generate.
For Arsenal, a trip to a lower-league venue will present the familiar cup challenge of coping with a different surface, a tight pitch and a partisan crowd. Cup history is littered with shocks, and the Arsenal squad will be wary of underestimating the hosts on what will be a tough midweek-style atmosphere in front of passionate supporters.
All-Premier League and big-name ties headline the weekend
One of the standout fixtures is a repeat of a recent domestic cup meeting: Newcastle United will host Manchester City in an all-Premier League clash. The pair previously met in this season's League Cup semi-finals, and the rivalry is set to intensify as the FA Cup offers another route to silverware for both clubs.
Elsewhere, Liverpool travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in another mouthwatering tie, while Fulham face Southampton. Wrexham, enjoying life in the Championship after promotion last season, have been drawn at home against eight-time winners Chelsea — a tie that carries the added intrigue of the clubs' unusual recent interactions and the long gap since a competitive meeting in the early 1980s.
Sunderland face a second successive away tie in the competition but must await the outcome of a postponed fourth-round match to learn their opponent: Port Vale or Bristol City. That fourth-round fixture was rescheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 2: 45 PM ET because of a waterlogged pitch, with the fifth-round opponents to be confirmed once that tie is settled.
Practical details and what to watch
All ties are pencilled in for the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET). The final schedule will be confirmed later, after discussions with clubs, broadcasters and local authorities. Clubs progressing from the fifth round will also receive a share of the competition prize fund, with winners at this stage set to receive a meaningful payout that can help lower-league sides with budgets and operations as they push deeper into the tournament.
Key storylines to follow include whether Mansfield can channel the confidence from their upset and generate another giant-killing performance on home soil; how Manchester City handle the trip to a volatile St James' Park; and whether Wrexham can turn recent growth into a memorable cup upset against a top-side opponent. The Wolves–Liverpool tie also promises to produce a tactical battle, with both teams capable of supplying moments of attacking flair.
With ties decided and underdogs waiting for their moment, the fifth round once again underlines the FA Cup's capacity for drama. Supporters can expect spirited contests and the possibility of more shocks as the competition approaches the business end of the season.
