Wrexham vs. Chelsea, FA Cup: Lineups & Game Thread

WREXHAM, WALES - MARCH 07: A view of the Wrexham badge and match details on a corner flag prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wrexham and Chelsea on March 07, 2026 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to this FA Cup fifth round showdown between the Champions of the World and the Champions of Hollywood! The Blues are favored against the Championship promotion hopefuls, but the locals have already taken a couple big scalps this season in this competition, so we will have to be careful.

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Both sides have rotated their lineups — Chelsea more so — with Liam Rosenior opting to make nine changes including a switch to what’s looking like a back-three. The likes of Enzo, Caicedo, and Cole Palmer get the day off completely. Essugo on the bench following injury, as is youngster Jesse Derry.

Here we go!

Wrexham starting XI:
Okonkwo | Cleworth, Hyam, Doyle, Longman, Dobson, Vyner, Thomason, Rathbone, O’Brien, Smith

Substitutes from: Ward, Scarr, Brunt, Barnett, Keillor-Dunn, Windass, Broadhead, Rodriguez, Moore

Chelsea starting lineup (3-4-3):
Sánchez | Sarr, Badiashile, Tosin (c) | Hato, Santos, Lavia, Acheampong | Garnacho, Delap, Neto

Substitutes from: Sharman-Lowe, James, Gusto, Chalobah, Cucurella, Essugo, Derry, João Pedro, Guiu

Date / Time: Saturday, March 7, 2026, 17.45 GMT; 12:45pm EST; 11:15pm IST
Venue: Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales
Referee: Peter Bankes (on pitch); Paul Howard (VAR)

On TV: BBC One (UK); none (USA); Sony TEN 2 (India); SuperSport MaXimo 2 (NGA); elsewhere
Streaming: BBC iPlayer (UK); ESPN Select (USA); Sony LIV (India); DStv Now (NGA)

Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!

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