FA Cup fifth-round draw sets up Mansfield v Arsenal and Wrexham v Chelsea
The FA Cup fifth-round draw produced a mix of glamour fixtures and classic cup storylines, with League One side Mansfield Town handed a home tie against Arsenal and promotion-chasing Wrexham drawn to host Chelsea. The remaining ties include two all-Premier League clashes and several intriguing matchups that will be played across the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET).
Mansfield’s reward for giant-killing run
Mansfield Town will contest the last 16 of the competition for the first time since 1975 after a dramatic 2-1 comeback win at Burnley. The Stags overturned a deficit at Turf Moor to book the date with Arsenal, a 14-time FA Cup winner, and bring a rare cup spotlight back to Field Mill. The prospect of a League One side hosting one of English football’s most successful clubs captures the romance of the competition — and gives Mansfield supporters a potentially historic weekend to look forward to.
The tie underlines the unpredictable nature of the FA Cup; lower-league teams have repeatedly used the competition to test themselves against top-flight opposition and create memorable moments. For Arsenal it is a trip to a compact stadium and a passionate atmosphere, while Mansfield will aim to use home advantage and momentum from their upset to push the tie into the weekend of March 7-8.
High-profile matchups and scheduling notes
Manchester City will travel to Newcastle United in one of two all-Premier League ties, a repeat of this season’s League Cup semi-final pairing that promises a tactical and physical battle. Liverpool are away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in another marquee tie, and Leeds United face Norwich City, with Fulham drawn against Southampton.
Wrexham, who sealed progression with a convincing victory in the previous round, will welcome Chelsea — a club with eight FA Cup titles — in one of the weekend’s standout fixtures. The meeting carries added intrigue given Wrexham’s rapid rise through the divisions after new ownership and the club’s recent return to the Championship. It will be their first competitive clash with the Blues since the early 1980s, though the sides have lined up in pre-season friendlies in recent summers.
There are a couple of ties that remain unresolved for now. Sunderland were drawn to face either Port Vale or Bristol City, but that fourth-round replay was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch and rescheduled for Tuesday, March 3 at 2: 45 PM ET. The winner of that tie will travel to Sunderland for the fifth-round match. Similarly, West Ham will play either Macclesfield or Brentford, depending on the outcome of their postponed fourth-round fixture.
All fifth-round ties are due to be played across the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET), giving clubs a clear target date to prepare for. Ticket and fixture details will be finalised once any outstanding fourth-round matches are completed.
What to expect next
For cup romantics, Mansfield v Arsenal is the headline story: a lower-league host against one of the country’s most decorated sides. For television and neutrals, Newcastle v Manchester City and Wrexham v Chelsea will draw plenty of attention. Managers will now have a fortnight to weigh up team selection, rotation and tactical approaches ahead of a domestic schedule that remains congested for many clubs.
As the ties settle into the calendar, the FA Cup retains its ability to deliver shocks and showcase encounters that matter to supporters across the football pyramid. The weekend of March 7-8 (ET) promises to be a crowded and captivating chapter in this season’s competition.
