fa cup draw: Mansfield to host Arsenal as Wrexham land Chelsea
The fifth-round draw for the FA Cup has produced a mix of blockbuster ties and potential giant-killing opportunities, with League One Mansfield Town handed a home date with Arsenal and Championship side Wrexham set to host Chelsea. Matches are scheduled across the weekend of Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, 2026 (ET).
Big ties and underdog storylines
Mansfield Town’s reward for a dramatic fourth-round win at Burnley is a trip to the national spotlight. The League One Stags, who reached this stage for the first time since 1975, will welcome 14-time winners Arsenal to Field Mill. Mansfield’s second-half comeback at Turf Moor underlined the unpredictable nature of the competition and sets up a David-versus-Goliath clash that will draw attention across the country.
Wrexham’s draw with Chelsea is another headline fixture. The Championship side will host the eight-time winners at the Racecourse Ground, creating a high-profile occasion for the club and its celebrity co-owners. Reaction from inside the Wrexham camp made clear the excitement around a chance to test themselves against top-level opposition at home.
One of the most eagerly anticipated all-Premier League ties sees Manchester City travel to Newcastle United, a repeat of one of this season’s League Cup semi-final pairings. Wolverhampton Wanderers were drawn against Liverpool in another top-flight showdown, while Leeds United will face Norwich City in a tie that could prove pivotal for momentum in both clubs’ seasons.
Fixtures, postponed ties and key timings (ET)
All fifth-round ties are scheduled for the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET). One fourth-round replay decision will decide Sunderland’s opponent: they will face either Port Vale or Bristol City once that tie is completed. That fourth-round game was postponed and rescheduled for Tuesday, March 3 at 2: 45 PM ET because of a waterlogged pitch.
Confirmed fifth-round pairings are as follows: Fulham vs Southampton; Port Vale or Bristol City vs Sunderland; Newcastle United vs Manchester City; Leeds United vs Norwich City; Mansfield Town vs Arsenal; Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool; Wrexham vs Chelsea; West Ham United vs Macclesfield or Brentford. Exact kick-off times and ticket details will be released in the coming days.
What to watch and implications for the rest of the season
The draw delivers storylines that matter beyond a single weekend. For lower-league sides, a favorable home tie can provide both financial windfall and a season-defining moment. Mansfield’s home advantage and recent form against higher-tier opposition will be tested against Arsenal’s squad depth and European schedule. Wrexham hosting Chelsea offers a similar mix of sporting challenge and off-field interest, magnified by the club’s recent rise through the leagues.
For Premier League heavyweights, midweek cup trips and congested calendars make squad rotation inevitable. Newcastle and Manchester City will meet in a matchup that already has recent history this season, offering both clubs the chance to press psychological and tactical advantages. Meanwhile, ties involving clubs currently chasing promotion or battling relegation will require careful squad management as league objectives remain paramount.
The FA Cup’s random-draw format guarantees drama: a lower-league club can earn a place in the national conversation with a single upset, while a marquee tie can hinge on marginal decisions or fixture congestion. With fixtures locked in for March 7-8 (ET), attention will now turn to team selections, ticket releases and how managers plan to balance cup ambitions with league priorities.
