FA Cup 2026: Wrexham v Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup Fixture, Date, Time, TV Channel, How to watch, Live Streaming

Wrexham will play host to eight-time champion Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup in a match that was announced during Monday’s draw.

The tie sees a storied history between two clubs linked by legendary players such as Joey Jones, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Mickey Thomas (and more!) and recently Frank Sinclair.

There have been very few head to heads since – but at our USA tour in 2024 saw two XIs take the field and ended 2-2.

This fifth-round berth is the first in nearly 30 years, marking one of their best FA Cup runs in recent decades as the tradition is revived under the new ownership.

Wrexham Team News: Confirmed XI Lineups against Chelsea

However, Issy Kabore isn’t in the squad after suffering hamstring tightness and Nathan Broadhead is only on the bench after a knock last time out.

Sam Smith leads the line with Lewis O’Brien and Ollie Rathbone among the other attacking threats.

Wrexham XI: Okonwo; Cleworth, Hyam, Doyle; Longman, Dobson, Vyner, Thomason; Rathbone, O’Brien; Smith.

Chelsea Team News: Confirmed XI Lineups against Wrexham

Rory Delap will lead the line, with Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho providing the other creative attacking heft.

It looks potentially like three at the back with Tosin, Benoit Badiashile and Mamadou Sarr as that trio and then Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato as the wing-backs.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Tosin, Badiashile, Sarr; Acheampong, Lavia, Santos, Hato; Neto, Delap, Garnacho

Wrexham v Chelsea: FA Cup stats

Wrexham and Chelsea are meeting for the first time since the 1981-82 season. That season, Wrexham and Chelsea played an FA Cup fourth-round tie that required two additional replays.

Wrexham are into the fifth round for the first time since the 1996-97 season. They reached the quarter-finals that season, one of three times they have reached that stage after 973-74 and 1977-78.

How Wrexham reached the FA Cup Fifth Round

Back to the big-time Wrexham entered the competition in the Third Round, drawing Nottingham Forest and producing a thrilling 3–3 tie before winning 4–3 on penalties to knock out the Premier League side.

In the Fourth Round, we beat fellow Championship side Ipswich Town 1–0 at the Racecourse Ground, with Josh Windass scoring the decisive goal to send the Dragons into the round of 16 for the first time in 29 years.

How Chelsea reached the FA Cup Fifth round

Up next is Chelsea, which lost three consecutive FA Cup finals from 2020-22 but blanked Hull City 4-0 on Friday in its first match of this year’s tournament.

When is the Wrexham v Chelsea, in the FA Cup fifth round

The match will take place the weekend of March 7, 2026, and will mark the first FA Cup meeting between the sides since 1982.

They have played a pair of friendlies over the past few years, once at Kenan Stadium in 2023 and in Santa Clara, Calif., in 2024.

When was the last time Wrexham faced Chelsea?

Chelsea have not faced Wrexham in a competitive game since February 1982, in the old Division Two, after the Welsh club fell on hard times.

When happened when Wrexham faced Chelsea last-time in FA Cup?

Looking back the last meaningful competitive clash in the FA Cup came in January 1982, when we drew 1-1 in a fourth-round replay.

What Happened last time when Chelsea face tehe Wrexham?

Chelsea have faced the Reds in two of the previous three summers during pre-season friendlies in the US, winning the 2023 clash 5-0 and drawing 2-2 in the summer of 2024.

How many time Wrexham reached the FA Cup in history?

The Reds into the last 16 of the famous competition for the first time in 29 years, and the sixth occasion in the club's history.

Wrexham went on to reach the quarter-finals on that occasion in the 1996-97 campaign.

Owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, Wrexham has already earned a record three consecutive promotions. The Welsh side is currently in the playoff picture in the Championship as it seeks a spot in the Premier League next season.

FA CUP 5TH ROUND DRAW IN FULL

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 vs. Brentford

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