The draw for the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup has thrown up a heavyweight clash, with holders Chelsea set to host Manchester United at Kingsmeadow. The tie is a mouth-watering repeat of last season's final, where Emma Hayes' Chelsea side triumphed 3-0 at Wembley Stadium.
Headline Tie Offers United Shot at Revenge
This season's meeting provides Manchester United with an immediate opportunity for revenge. The Red Devils have been formidable in this competition, reaching the final for three consecutive years. They famously knocked Chelsea out in the 2024 semi-finals en route to their first Cup win, before Chelsea turned the tables in the 2025 showpiece. The match is undoubtedly the standout fixture of the round and will be played over the weekend of 22 February.
All-WSL Clashes and Romantic Underdog Stories
The fifth round features a total of four all-Women's Super League fixtures, underlining the depth of the competition. Alongside the Chelsea-United duel, a Merseyside derby sees Liverpool host Everton. Brighton will travel to West Ham, while London City Lionesses welcome Tottenham Hotspur.
The draw also maintained possibilities for cup romance. The lowest-ranked team left, fourth-tier Chatham Town, earned an away tie at second-tier Birmingham City. Chatham's manager, Keith Boanas – who led Charlton to Cup glory in 2005 – has guided his side to this stage for the first time. The only other side from below WSL2, third-tier Oxford United, will host WSL2 leaders Charlton Athletic.
Full Fifth Round Draw
The complete list of fixtures for the Women's FA Cup fifth round is as follows:
- Manchester City v Sheffield United
- Liverpool v Everton
- Chelsea v Manchester United
- Oxford United v Charlton Athletic
- West Ham United v Brighton & Hove Albion
- London City Lionesses v Tottenham Hotspur
- Birmingham City v Chatham Town
- Arsenal v Bristol City
Fans can anticipate a thrilling weekend of action as the 16 remaining teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals, with several ties promising high drama and potential upsets.
