The draw for the fifth round (round of 16) of the FA Cup for the 2025-2026 season resulted in some heavyweight clashes, headlined by the renewed and fiery encounter between the defending champion Manchester City and their stubborn opponent Newcastle United, in a summit that promises a lot of excitement and competitiveness.
City vs. Newcastle: A new chapter in the rivalry
All eyes are on this particular encounter, as it comes at a crucial juncture in the season. This is not just a casual cup match; it carries the weight of revenge and settling old scores. Manchester City previously eliminated the Magpies from the Carabao Cup semi-finals earlier this month, setting up a final showdown with Arsenal. This will be the fifth meeting between the two sides this season across all competitions, reflecting the intense rivalry and ongoing tactical battles between managers and players vying for domestic titles.
Big clashes: Tough tests for Liverpool and Chelsea
The draw was not kind to the other Premier League giants, with Liverpool finding themselves in a precarious position against Wolverhampton Wanderers, a team that has long posed a challenge to the big clubs thanks to its organized defense and effective counter-attacks. Elsewhere in the draw, all eyes are on Wrexham, a club attracting global media attention, as the London giants host Chelsea in a match with a "David vs. Goliath" feel – the kind of fixture that gives the FA Cup its unique allure and rich history.
The prestige of the tournament and the importance of the fifth round
The fifth round of the FA Cup holds immense strategic importance for English clubs. The FA Cup, the oldest competitive football competition, offers not only a chance to win a historic title but also a gateway to European competition. Reaching the quarterfinals means taking a significant step closer to Wembley, a dream shared by all clubs, whether from the top flight or lower divisions. For teams like Arsenal, who will face Mansfield, the match presents an opportunity to rotate and rest key players, but with extreme caution to avoid the cup upsets that are so common.
Full results of the fifth round draw
- Newcastle United vs Manchester City
- Wolverhampton vs Liverpool
- Arsenal vs. Mansfield
- Wrexham vs Chelsea
- Fulham vs Southampton
- Winner of (Port Vale and Bristol City) vs Sunderland
- Leeds United vs Norwich City
- West Ham x Brentford
These crucial matches are scheduled to take place on March 7 and 8, where the qualifiers for the quarter-finals will be determined in a heated race towards the most prestigious title in England.
