Brentford face a potential shock when visiting sixth-tier Macclesfield in the FA Cup fourth round, after Macclesfield eliminated the holders 2-1. That victory is regarded as the biggest upset in FA Cup history and set up a headline tie for the weekend of February 14 and 15.
The full fourth round draw also handed standout matches to Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and several other Premier League clubs. Non-league and lower-division sides receive high-profile home ties, while there are key all-Premier League clashes that could shape the later stages of the 2025-26 competition.
Macclesfield became the first sixth-tier team ever to defeat a top-flight side in the FA Cup, and now host Brentford in Cheshire. Brentford sit fifth in the Premier League
and advanced by beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-0, yet will be aware of Crystal Palace’s fate against the same opponents.
Aston Villa and Newcastle United meet in one of two all Premier League fixtures in the FA Cup fourth round, with Birmingham City welcoming Leeds United in another notable pairing. Mansfield Town, who edged Sheffield United 4-3 on Sunday, earned a trip to Burnley at Turf Moor after that dramatic win.
Arsenal are drawn at home to Wigan Athletic, who lifted the FA Cup in 2013, giving Wigan another high-profile visit to north London. Manchester City must travel to face the winner of Salford City and Swindon Town; Salford City are part-owned by several former Manchester United players.
Chelsea travel to Hull City, offering new Blues head coach Liam Rosenior an early reunion with a former club in the FA Cup fourth round. Liverpool or Barnsley, who meet on Monday, will host Brighton, while other ties include games for Fulham, Sunderland, Leicester City and Wolves.
Stoke City are matched with Fulham, and Oxford United receive Sunderland. Southampton host Leicester City, while Wrexham play Ipswich Town in north Wales. Norwich City meet West Brom, Port Vale face Bristol City, and Grimsby Town welcome Wolves, adding further lower-league interest to the FA Cup fourth round schedule.
Ties confirmed The 2025-26 #EmiratesFACup fourth round drawEmirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 12, 2026
FA Cup fourth round draw in full
The complete set of FA Cup fourth round fixtures includes Premier League, EFL and non-league clubs, underlining the competition’s mix of elite and underdog stories. The pairings below show which clubs are at home and away, including remaining third round replays or unresolved ties.
| Home team | Away team |
|---|---|
| Liverpool or Barnsley | Brighton |
| Stoke City | Fulham |
| Oxford United | Sunderland |
| Southampton | Leicester City |
| Wrexham | Ipswich Town |
| Arsenal | Wigan Athletic |
| Hull City | Chelsea |
| Burton Albion | West Ham |
| Burnley | Mansfield Town |
| Norwich City | West Brom |
| Port Vale | Bristol City |
| Grimsby Town | Wolves |
| Aston Villa | Newcastle United |
| Manchester City | Salford City or Swindon Town |
| Macclesfield | Brentford |
| Birmingham City | Leeds United |
The Macclesfield versus Brentford matchup provides the central storyline of this FA Cup fourth round, after Macclesfield’s historic win against the holders. Alongside that tie, several matches pit Premier League clubs against ambitious lower-league teams, keeping the risk of further shocks very much alive.
