FA Cup drama accelerates tonight. The fifth round draw arrives Monday, February 16, with playoff-style intensity guaranteed. Eight teams remain locked in fourth-round battles, fighting for the final spots in England’s most unpredictable tournament.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Draw Time: Monday, February 16 at 6:35 PM GMT on TNT Sports
- Teams Qualified: 9 confirmed, with final spots filled from today’s fourth-round ties
- Matches Scheduled: Fifth round plays March 7-8, 2026 with 8 teams competing
- Unpredictability Factor: Recent upsets mean playoff stakes appear in the draw
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The 2025-26 FA Cup has delivered drama at every turn. Championship sides Leeds, Sunderland, and Fulham advanced via penalty kicks Saturday, while Wolverhampton pushed deeper into the tournament.
Today’s final fourth-round matches will determine which remaining teams crash the party. The Macclesfield vs Brentford fixture airs live before the draw begins, setting the stage for Monday evening’s reveal at Moss Rose stadium.
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Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Southampton, Wrexham, Mansfield Town, and Norwich City have all secured their places. Liverpool dominated Brighton 3-0, while Chelsea cruised past Hull City with precision.
Manchester City and Newcastle both escaped close contests on Saturday. The Premier League dominates early, with lower-league heroes Wrexham still chasing giant-killing dreams.
Tournament Format Creates Draw Ball Unpredictability
| Confirmed Team | Ball Number |
| Liverpool | 1 |
| South Coast Winner | 4 (Southampton) |
| Wrexham | 5 |
| Chelsea | 7 |
| West Ham United | 8 |
The draw format uses a two-pot system for maximum drama. Ball numbers assign fixtures randomly, meaning David vs Goliath matchups remain entirely possible.
Lower-league teams battle Premier League giants for payday income and TV exposure. Every draw combination generates tactical intrigue.
“The FA Cup fifth round draw will be made on Monday 16 February, live on TNT Sports. The draw will be held live from Macclesfield ahead of the fourth round tie between Macclesfield and Brentford.”
— The FA, Official Football Association Statement
Broadcast Details and Where to Watch the Live Draw
TNT Sports 1 will carry the entire broadcast live, with discovery+ streaming simultaneously for cord-cutters. The TNT Sports YouTube channel also airs the draw publicly, starting approximately 6:35 PM GMT.
Pre-match coverage begins at 6:30 PM GMT, giving fans five minutes to settle in before the draw action begins. Premier League executives and FA officials will oversee the ceremony at Moss Rose.
Can This Year’s FA Cup Deliver More Shockwaves After Monday’s Draw?
The tournament has already rewarded underdogs spectacularly. Wrexham’s Cinderella story seems destined for fifth-round cinema. Mansfield Town and Norwich City represent lower divisions fighting back against the elite.
Monday’s draw promises blockbuster matchups across the nation. Will classic heavyweight clashes emerge, or will the FA Cup continue its beloved tradition of surprising everyone? The answer arrives tomorrow at 6:35 PM GMT.
Sources
- The FA – Official Emirates FA Cup fifth round draw information and scheduling
- TNT Sports – Live broadcast details and coverage times
- Goal.com – Qualified teams list and round-by-round fixtures
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.