fa is now set for a quarter-final weekend of heavyweight matchups and a potential giant-killing storyline, after the draw paired Manchester City at home to Liverpool and sent Port Vale to Chelsea. The ties are scheduled to be played across the weekend of 4–5 April 2026 (ET), with Chelsea also confirming full fixture and ticket information will follow. The draw also sent Arsenal to Southampton and matched Leeds United away at West Ham United, who reached the last eight after a 2–2 draw with Brentford and a penalty shootout win on Monday night (ET).
Quarter-final ties confirmed
The quarter-final line-up is now clear. Manchester City will host Liverpool in what’s immediately the standout tie of the round. Chelsea will play at home against League One side Port Vale, the lowest ranked team left in the competition. Arsenal, described as record 14-time winners, will travel to Southampton, who sit eighth in the Championship. Leeds United will go to West Ham United, who advanced after beating Brentford on penalties following a 2–2 draw on Monday night (ET).
fa spotlight: Chelsea draw Port Vale as lowest-ranked side left
Chelsea’s quarter-final opponent is Port Vale, and the scale of the task is underlined by Port Vale’s status as the lowest-ranked side remaining. Port Vale earned the tie by beating Sunderland, turning that victory into a trip to Stamford Bridge for a place in the semi-finals.
Chelsea confirmed they have been drawn at home to Port Vale in the quarter-final. The club stated it has not played Port Vale in a competitive fixture since the 1928/29 season, noting a 3–3 draw at Stamford Bridge and a 1–0 loss away from home in the old Division Two. Chelsea also said it has never played a game at Vale Park and that most prior meetings took place at Port Vale’s old Recreation Ground.
How Chelsea reached the last eight
Chelsea described a hard-fought path into the quarter-finals, saying Liam Rosenior’s side secured its place in the last eight with a 4–2 victory over Championship club Wrexham on Saturday evening (ET). Chelsea said it came from behind twice at the Racecourse Ground, first through an own goal and then a Josh Acheampong strike.
The club said extra-time goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro completed the win and booked a spot in the next round. Chelsea added that the quarter-final draw was held at the London Stadium this evening (ET), ahead of West Ham United’s fifth-round match against Brentford.
What happens next
The quarter-final ties are due to be played across the weekend of 4–5 April 2026 (ET). Chelsea said full fixture and ticket information will follow in due course. With the bracket now set, the next developments will come as match dates and details are confirmed and teams begin preparations for a weekend that will define the remaining path in fa.
