Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reacted with visible shock and elation as Wrexham AFC drew Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The draw, revealed on February 16, 2026, will see the Welsh club host the Premier League side at the Racecourse Ground on March 7.
Reynolds captured the moment on Instagram, posting an expletive-laden video of himself and Jackman watching the draw unfold. “Wait, wait, wait… we’re home to Chelsea?” Reynolds exclaimed, before celebrating with Jackman. Jackman responded, “That’s what you wanted!” Reynolds captioned the post, “Chelsea at the Racecourse!”
The pairing marks a significant moment for Wrexham, a club that was in the fifth tier of English football when Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed a £2 million takeover in 2021. Their ownership, chronicled in the Disney+ series “Welcome to Wrexham,” has brought global attention to the club and fueled its rapid ascent up the English football pyramid.
Chelsea’s manager, Liam Rosenior, has faced a series of away draws in both the League Cup and FA Cup this season. Although some Chelsea fans may be frustrated by another road fixture, the draw presents an opportunity for Rosenior to rotate his squad, particularly with Champions League commitments looming. Rosenior recently rested key players during a fourth-round match against Hull City.
Wrexham and Chelsea last met in a pre-season friendly in 2023. Yet, significant changes have occurred within the Wrexham squad since then. Only one player from Wrexham’s starting XI in that 2023 match remains with the club, with Thomas O’Connor recently returning after a loan spell at Peterborough United. This turnover reflects Wrexham’s progression and the increasing demands of competing at a higher level. Fan favorite Elliot Lee recently departed for Doncaster Rovers in search of more playing time.
The FA Cup draw is random, a tradition dating back to the competition’s inception in 1871. The fifth-round matches are scheduled to take place between March 6 and March 9.
