FA Cup Draw: Manchester City handed tough test, Arokodare set for giant-killing mission

The magic of the FA Cup is alive and well following Monday’s fifth-round draw, which has set the stage for a series of mouthwatering encounters, scheduled for the weekend of March 7, 2026.

The headline fixture sees Manchester City travel to St James' Park for a grueling clash against Newcastle United. For Pep Guardiola’s men, this represents a significant hurdle in their quest for a clean sweep of domestic honours, especially as the Magpies have already proven to be a thorn in their side this season.

Newcastle have had a tough season, but will be boosted by their recent comeback win over Aston Villa, and will look to leverage their raucous home support in this clash.

Elsewhere, Wolverhampton Wanderers will face Liverpool, and will be desperate to produce a huge upset.

Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare has a significant test on his hands, but he has come into his own in recent weeks, nailing down a starting spot after the departure of Jorgen Strand-Larsen.

Liverpool are not unbeatable, but Wolves must be at the top of their game to advance to the quarter-finals.

Another team with Nigerian representation, Fulham, will take on Southampton at Craven Cottage. Super Eagles trio Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Calvin Bassey will look to continue their fine individual seasons by making a deep run in the FA Cup.

Beyond the fixtures featuring committed Super Eagles stars, the draw has thrown up several other captivating matchups.Sunderland are slated to meet either Port Vale or Bristol City, depending on the outcome of their clash, while Leeds United will battle Norwich City in an all-Championship affair.

Elsewhere, Mansfield Town face a daunting task as they host Arsenal, and West Ham await the victor of the replay between Brentford and Macclesfield Town.