As the 2025-26 FA Cup barrels toward its most thrilling stages, football fans across the globe are buzzing with anticipation. With the fifth round now wrapped up and the quarter-final draw looming, the stories emerging from this historic competition have been nothing short of captivating. From Leeds United’s long-awaited resurgence to the drama at Molineux between Wolves and Liverpool, the FA Cup continues to deliver the kind of football magic that keeps supporters glued to their screens.
The drama kicked off in earnest on March 6, 2026, at Molineux Stadium, where Wolves hosted Liverpool in a highly anticipated FA Cup clash. This fixture came hot on the heels of their recent Premier League showdown, a match that saw Wolves snatch a last-minute victory courtesy of a dramatic André winner. The question on everyone's lips: could Wolves repeat their heroics in the cup, or would Liverpool bounce back and restore order?
Fans eager to catch the action were treated to a free live stream on BBC iPlayer, though those outside the UK had to get a bit creative. With BBC iPlayer’s geo-restrictions, many turned to ExpressVPN, which boasts servers in 105 countries—including the UK—and offers fast, secure connections for up to 10 devices. As Joseph Green, Global Shopping Editor for Mashable, put it, "ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons." The game’s global reach was secured, and viewers everywhere settled in for what promised to be a tense encounter.
While the outcome of the Wolves vs. Liverpool FA Cup tie has not been definitively reported yet, the stakes were clear. Liverpool, eager for redemption after their Premier League disappointment, faced a Wolves side brimming with confidence. Would the Reds find their rhythm and march into the next round, or could Wolves’ recent form propel them to another famous victory? The answer, for now, remains tantalizingly out of reach, as the action at Molineux continues to unfold.
Meanwhile, over at Elland Road, Leeds United delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come. On March 8, 2026, Leeds dispatched Norwich City 3-0 in front of a jubilant home crowd, booking their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2003. It’s been a long road back to this stage of the competition for the Yorkshire club, who had suffered heartbreak in the fifth round on four separate occasions since their last quarter-final run.
The match itself was a showcase of Leeds’ attacking flair and renewed confidence. Sean Longstaff opened the scoring midway through the first half, volleying home with precision after expertly controlling a cross from Gabriel Gudmundsson. Just before the interval, Gudmundsson doubled the lead, notching his first goal for the club after Norwich failed to clear a dangerous ball from Dan James. The home side’s dominance was clear, and Norwich, despite a spirited second-half improvement, struggled to test Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri meaningfully.
Norwich’s best opportunity came when substitute Errol Mundle-Smith delivered a teasing ball across goal for Anis Ben Slimane, whose effort struck the outside of the post. Leeds, however, were not to be denied. With five minutes remaining, Dutch forward Joel Piroe put the result beyond doubt, curling a superb left-footed shot into the net to seal a memorable 3-0 victory.
It was a particularly sweet moment for Leeds manager Daniel Farke, who watched from the stands while serving a one-match touchline ban against his former club. Farke made significant changes to the lineup following a disappointing Premier League loss to Sunderland earlier in the week, retaining just two players from that defeat. The shake-up paid dividends, as the fringe players seized their chance and delivered an emphatic team performance. As BBC Sport noted, "Leeds have now progressed from each of their past seven FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division," underscoring their pedigree in these matchups.
For Leeds, the win offers not just a ticket to the quarter-finals but also a much-needed morale boost as they battle to climb clear of the Premier League relegation zone. The club will learn its quarter-final fate in Monday’s draw, which takes place just before West Ham host Brentford. Farke’s side will then turn their attention back to league survival, with a crucial trip to Crystal Palace on March 15, 2026. Norwich, meanwhile, will look to regroup as they prepare to host Sheffield United in the Championship on March 11.
The excitement doesn’t end there. The FA Cup quarter-final draw is set for Monday, March 9, 2026, at 7:05 p.m. GMT, just ahead of the West Ham vs. Brentford showdown. Hosted by Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist, with former Manchester City and Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart drawing the balls, the event will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+ in the UK, and streamed for free on the TNT Sports YouTube channel. Fans in the USA can catch the draw on ESPN+, while viewers in Australia, Canada, Africa, and the Middle East have their own dedicated broadcasters.
The quarter-final draw promises some mouthwatering potential matchups, with the following teams confirmed in the hat: Southampton, Port Vale, Manchester City, Leeds United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and either West Ham or Brentford. With Wrexham’s clash against Chelsea and Newcastle United’s battle with Manchester City already sparking plenty of debate, neutrals and die-hards alike are eagerly awaiting the next round’s pairings.
Once the draw is made, teams will have about a month to prepare for the quarter-final fixtures, which are scheduled for the weekend of April 3 to April 6, 2026. The road to Wembley is narrowing, and every match from here on out will be loaded with tension, ambition, and the hope of cup glory.
As the dust settles on a dramatic fifth round and the draw approaches, one thing is clear: the FA Cup’s magic is alive and well. Whether you’re tuning in from the UK on BBC iPlayer, streaming abroad with a VPN, or following the action through global broadcasters, the next chapter in this storied competition is about to be written. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more drama to come.