🏆 The FA Cup fifth-round draw served up a set of high-contrast ties that put smaller clubs in the spotlight. League One’s Mansfield Town will host Arsenal at Field Mill, while Wrexham welcome Chelsea 43598. The draw also produced a heavyweight clash: Manchester City head to Newcastle United in a pairing several outlets flagged as a repeat of their recent League Cup semi-final matchup 435.
For fans, it’s classic Cup fare: big names squeezed into compact, intense grounds, and underdogs getting the kind of occasion—and attention—that can lift a club and its community 437. Wrexham’s Hollywood-linked ownership only adds to the glare, with coverage leaning into the “blockbuster” feel of hosting an eight-time FA Cup-winning Chelsea side 98.
Liverpool were also drawn against Wolves in the fifth round 67.
Sources
- Mansfield Town drawn in FA Cup fifth round - Arsenal.com [google.com] (2026-02-16)
- Manchester City discover FA Cup fifth round opponents following Salford win and completed draw - cityxtra.co.uk [google.com] (2026-02-16)
- Mansfield host Arsenal and Man City travel to Newcastle in FA Cup fifth round [sky.com] (2026-02-16)
- League One Mansfield to host Arsenal in fifth round - full FA Cup draw [bbc.com] (2026-02-16)
- FA Cup fifth-round draw: Mansfield host Arsenal as Newcastle welcome Man City [football365.com] (2026-02-16)
- FA Cup draw in full as Liverpool learn next opponent with fifth round ties decided - Liverpool Echo [google.com] (2026-02-16)
- FA Cup fifth-round draw: Mansfield v Arsenal, Wrexham v Chelsea – as it happened [theguardian.com] (2026-02-16)
- Hollywood meets football: Wrexham to host Chelsea, leaving Ryan Reynolds speechless [marca.com] (2026-02-17)
- Wrexham Set For Blockbuster FA Cup Tie Against 8-time Champion Chelsea [foxsports.com] (2026-02-17)
- Buzzing Ryan Reynolds has X-rated reaction with Hugh Jackman as Wrexham get glamour FA Cup tie against Chelsea - talkSPORT [google.com] (2026-02-16)
- 'Holy crap' - Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman left stunned after Wrexham handed dream FA Cup draw against Chelsea - Goal.com [google.com] (2026-02-16)
Highlights
- Mansfield’s route: Their previous-round win over Burnley earned them a home tie at Field Mill against Arsenal 54.
- City-Newcastle headline: Manchester City set up a trip to Newcastle after booking their place in the fifth round, renewing the sides’ recent League Cup semi-final matchup 3452.
- Wrexham’s stakes: Coverage framed Chelsea’s visit as a marquee occasion, with a place in the FA Cup quarterfinals on the line next month 98.
- Liverpool-Wolves tie: Liverpool were paired away at Wolves, one of the all-Premier League matchups produced by the draw 67.
Perspectives
Ryan Reynolds (via coverage): Reports highlighted Reynolds’ stunned reaction to Wrexham being drawn at home to Chelsea, underscoring the scale of the occasion.
Live-draw framing (media): A live report called the fifth round a favorite stage of the Cup because it’s close to Wembley while still leaving room for surprises.