The 2025-26 FA Cup has been whittled down to the final 32 teams, and the roadmap to the fifth round is now clear following the official release of the fourth-round draw.
As usual, the draw has delivered a familiar mix of giant clashes, tricky away trips, and classic cup narratives. Arsenal and Chelsea were both handed ties against Football League opposition, while Liverpool could be set for a heavyweight Premier League showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion, but only if they first navigate their third-round encounter with Barnsley on Monday night.
Arsenal had to dig deep themselves in the previous round, surviving a stern test from Championship side Portsmouth before sealing progression. Their reward is a meeting with Wigan Athletic, the 2013 FA Cup winners who know all too well how to spring surprises in this competition.
Chelsea, meanwhile, began life under Liam Rosenior in emphatic fashion with a commanding win over Charlton Athletic. Fate then added an interesting twist, pairing the Blues with Hull City, Rosenior’s former club.
The headline fairy tale from the third round belonged to Macclesfield. The sixth-tier side—only purchased off Rightmove in 2020, produced one of the shocks of the season by convincingly dumping out defending champions Crystal Palace. Their reward? Another crack at top-flight opposition, this time against Brentford, as their remarkable cup journey continues.
Not everyone enjoyed a smooth passage. Manchester United were among the biggest names to exit the competition, falling to Brighton in a bruising third-round defeat at Old Trafford. Brighton’s prize for that upset is a fourth-round tie against either Liverpool or Barnsley, setting up the possibility of another major scalp.
Elsewhere, there are several eye-catching fixtures across the draw, with Premier League sides facing stern tests and lower-league teams dreaming of another famous night.
2025–26 FA Cup Fourth Round Draw
- Liverpool or Barnsley vs Brighton & Hove Albion
- Stoke City vs Fulham
- Oxford United vs Sunderland
- Southampton vs Leicester City
- Wrexham vs Ipswich Town
- Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic
- Hull City vs Chelsea
- Burton Albion vs West Ham United
- Burnley vs Mansfield Town
- Norwich City vs West Bromwich Albion
- Port Vale vs Bristol City
- Grimsby Town vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Aston Villa vs Newcastle
- Manchester City vs Salford or Swindon
- Macclesfield vs Brentford
- Birmingham City vs Leeds United
With giant-killings already setting the tone and plenty of intriguing storylines still unfolding, the fourth round promises more drama, the kind only the FA Cup can deliver.
Ties confirmed ✅
The 2025-26 #EmiratesFACup fourth round draw 🏆
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 12, 2026