Wrexham vs Chelsea
The highly anticipated FA Cup fifth-round clash between Wrexham AFC and Chelsea FC is scheduled for today, Saturday, 7 March 2026, at the STōK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground).
Sat, Mar 7
11:15 pm IST
Fifth Round
Match Context and Significance
This encounter represents a classic "David vs. Goliath" scenario, as Wrexham, currently competing in the EFL Championship, hosts eight-time FA Cup winners Chelsea. For the Red Dragons, this is their first appearance in the FA Cup fifth round since the 1996/97 season. Managed by Phil Parkinson—who famously led Bradford City to a 4-2 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2015—Wrexham enters the tie with a reputation for giant-killing, having already eliminated Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town in earlier rounds.
Current Form and League Standings
- Wrexham: Occupying a promotion playoff spot in the Championship, the Welsh side is in excellent form with three consecutive league victories. They have been particularly strong at home, bolstered by the support of Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
- Chelsea: Under interim boss Liam Rosenior, the Blues have a formidable record against lower-league opposition, progressing from their last 24 such FA Cup ties. However, their recent league form has been inconsistent, following a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal and draws with Burnley and Leeds.
Head-to-Head and Recent History
While the two clubs have not met in a competitive fixture since February 1982—a match Wrexham won 1-0—they have faced each other in high-profile pre-season friendlies during Chelsea's recent USA tours.
| Date | Competition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Mar 2026 | FA Cup | STōK Cae Ras | Scheduled |
| 24 Jul 2024 | Club Friendly | Levi's Stadium, CA | Chelsea 2–2 Wrexham |
| 19 Jul 2023 | Florida Cup | Kenan Memorial Stadium, NC | Chelsea 5–0 Wrexham |
| 27 Feb 1982 | Division Two | Racecourse Ground | Wrexham 1–0 Chelsea |
In the most recent friendly in July 2024, Chelsea required a late equalizer from Lesley Ugochukwu to salvage a 2-2 draw after Wrexham goals from Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott had turned the game around.
Team News and Key Players
Both sides are dealing with notable absences heading into this knockout fixture:
- Wrexham: Midfielder Ben Sheaf is out for the season, while George Dobson, Issa Kaboré, and several others are ruled out due to injury. Key forward Josh Windass remains fit and is a primary threat, having scored regularly in home FA Cup starts.
- Chelsea: The Blues are missing Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspension) and Estêvão (injury), while Levi Colwill and Mykhaylo Mudryk are also listed as unavailable. Key players like Cole Palmer and João Pedro are expected to lead the attack.
Match Regulations
As part of the 2024/25 rule changes, FA Cup replays have been scrapped from the first round proper onwards. Consequently, if the match is level after 90 minutes, it will proceed to 30 minutes of extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout to determine who advances to the quarter-finals.
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