The draw for the fifth round of the 2025–26 FA Cup has produced several eye-catching fixtures, with Chelsea set to face Wrexham in what promises to be one of the standout ties. The clash will see Premier League giants Chelsea, managed by Liam Rosenior, take on the Welsh club co-owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who have captured global attention with their rise through the English football pyramid.
Wrexham’s journey to the fifth round has been historic. The club, now competing in the Championship, last reached this stage in 1997. Their path included a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Nottingham Forest following a 3-3 draw, and a narrow 1-0 win against Ipswich Town. Manager Phil Parkinson praised his players’ resilience and spoke of the pride in creating “a bit of history” for the club, while also emphasizing the importance of focusing on their league campaign.
Chelsea, meanwhile, has advanced with dominant performances, defeating Charlton Athletic 5-1 and Hull City 4-0. Rosenior expressed satisfaction with his team’s mentality and application, noting standout contributions from players such as Pedro Neto. He highlighted the importance of maintaining consistency as the Blues chase silverware this season.
Other notable fixtures include Manchester City’s trip to Newcastle, Arsenal’s away tie against League One side Mansfield Town, and Liverpool’s clash with Wolves. Fulham will meet Southampton, Leeds face Norwich City, Sunderland await the winner of Port Vale vs. Bristol City, and West Ham will take on Brentford.
The fifth-round matches are scheduled for the weekend of March 7–8, with winning clubs set to receive £238,500 in prize money—a significant incentive for lower-league sides. The Chelsea-Wrexham tie, in particular, embodies the FA Cup’s enduring magic, pitting tradition and star power against underdog ambition.
