Liverpool To Face Everton As Chatham Town Make History

The anticipation has reached fever pitch as the Adobe Women’s FA Cup enters its critical fifth round, with the draw held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 19:00 GMT. Football fans across the country tuned in as the Women’s FA Cup, TNT Sports Football, and Channel 4 Sport broadcasted the live draw, eager to see which clubs would clash in the quest for cup glory. With sixteen teams left, the stage is set for a series of tantalizing matchups, including the headline-grabbing Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton.

This year’s competition is a showcase of the best and brightest from across the women’s football pyramid. Ten Women’s Super League (WSL) sides remain in the hunt, including reigning champions Chelsea, but all eyes are on Chatham Town from the Women’s National League Division One South East. The lowest-ranked team left in the competition, Chatham Town have captured the imagination of neutrals and supporters alike after their impressive run, highlighted by a 3-0 victory over York City in the last round. Now, as ball number five in the draw, they’re hoping for a fairytale tie against one of the top-flight giants.

The fifth round proper is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2026, and the excitement is palpable. The complete list of teams in the draw includes Everton, West Ham, London City Lionesses, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chatham Town, Sheffield United, Liverpool, Manchester United, Oxford United, Bristol City, Arsenal, Charlton Athletic, and Birmingham City. Each club dreams of a deep cup run, but only one will ultimately lift the coveted trophy.

The draw itself delivered some mouth-watering fixtures, none more so than the Merseyside derby. Liverpool, fresh off a commanding 6-0 win over London Bees, will host Everton at Anfield. This fixture never fails to deliver drama, and with a place in the quarterfinals at stake, both sides will be desperate to claim local bragging rights. Liverpool’s comprehensive victory in the previous round has certainly set the tone, but Everton’s pedigree in the competition means anything can happen on the day.

Meanwhile, Bristol City Women, who battled past Southampton 2-1 after extra time at the Silverlake Stadium, find themselves as ball number eight in the draw. Their resilience in the previous round is a testament to their growing confidence, and they’ll be looking to build on that momentum when the fifth round kicks off. According to official sources, “City Women are ball number 8 in the draw,” highlighting their presence among the elite sixteen.

For Chatham Town, the prospect of facing a WSL heavyweight is both daunting and exhilarating. The club’s historic run to the fifth round is already a remarkable achievement, marking the first time they’ve reached this stage in the Women’s FA Cup. Their manager and players are relishing the underdog status, with supporters daring to dream of an upset. As noted in the source materials, “As the lowest ranked side left in the FA Cup, all eyes will be on Chatham Town in the fifth round.” After a confident win against York City, the team is hoping for a big tie, perhaps even against Manchester City, who are flying high in the WSL.

It’s not just Chatham Town flying the flag for the lower leagues. Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City, Oxford United, Bristol City, and Sheffield United have all made it through to the last sixteen, keeping the hope alive for a giant-killing or two in the coming round. The competition’s magic lies in its unpredictability, and with so many non-WSL sides still in contention, the possibility of a major upset is very real.

The official ball numbers for the draw were as follows: 1. Charlton Athletic, 2. Manchester City, 3. Sheffield United, 4. Oxford United, 5. Chatham Town, 6. Arsenal, 7. Manchester United, 8. Bristol City, 9. Liverpool, 10. Tottenham Hotspur, 11. Brighton & Hove Albion, 12. Chelsea, 13. West Ham United, 14. London City Lionesses, 15. Everton, 16. Birmingham City. This meticulous organization ensures a transparent and exciting draw, with every club and supporter glued to their screens.

With the draw now complete, teams and fans alike can begin to plot their route to Wembley. The fifth round ties, scheduled for February 22, promise high stakes and even higher drama. Confirmed fixture details, including kick-off times and venues, will be announced in due course on official club websites, such as Liverpoolfc.com for the Merseyside derby. For now, supporters can revel in the anticipation and speculate on who might emerge as this season’s cup heroes.

As the competition heats up, the storylines are as compelling as ever. Will Chelsea continue their dominance as holders, or will a new champion emerge from the pack? Can Chatham Town defy the odds and pull off one of the greatest shocks in Women’s FA Cup history? And who will come out on top in the fierce local derbies and heavyweight clashes that lie ahead?

One thing is certain: the Adobe Women’s FA Cup continues to captivate with its blend of tradition, excitement, and the ever-present possibility of the unexpected. With fixtures like Liverpool versus Everton already generating headlines, and underdogs like Chatham Town ready to seize their moment, the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in English women’s football.

As February 22 approaches, the countdown is on. Sixteen teams, one dream, and countless stories waiting to unfold. The magic of the FA Cup is alive and well, and fans everywhere will be watching to see which clubs rise to the occasion and which fall by the wayside. Let the games begin!