Wrexham AFC Draws Chelsea in FA Cup: Reynolds and Jackman React
Wrexham AFC’s FA Cup journey took a dramatic turn as the club secured a home tie against Premier League giants Chelsea in the fifth round of the competition. The draw, announced on February 17, 2026, elicited a visibly shocked and excited reaction from Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.
Viral Reaction from Reynolds and Jackman
Reynolds captured his initial reaction alongside Jackman in an expletive-laden Instagram post as the draw unfolded live. The video shows Reynolds staring in disbelief at his tablet as “Chelsea” appeared as Wrexham’s opponent. Jackman exclaimed “Ohhh, Chelsea!” while Reynolds responded with a stunned silence before uttering, “Wait, wait, wait… we’re home to Chelsea?” followed by a celebratory high-five with Jackman. Source
Jackman playfully commented on the post, stating, “I’m telling him what he wants to happen?! The madness.” Reynolds captioned the video, “Chelsea at the Racecourse!” Source
Wrexham’s FA Cup Run and Club History
Wrexham will host Chelsea at the Racecourse Ground on March 7. This marks a significant moment for the club, which has never won the FA Cup but has reached the quarter-finals twice, in the 1973-74 and 1996-97 seasons. Source
Since Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s £2 million takeover in February 2021, Wrexham has experienced a remarkable resurgence. The team reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Source
Prior to the Chelsea draw, Wrexham defeated Ipswich Town 1-0 to advance to the fifth round. They previously overcame Premier League side Nottingham Forest in a penalty shootout in the third round. Source
Recent Club Success
The takeover by Reynolds and McElhenney has been transformative for Wrexham, ending a 13-year spell of relegation. In April 2026, the club achieved a historic promotion to the Championship (second division) after a 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic. Source
Looking Ahead
The match against Chelsea is generating considerable excitement among Wrexham fans, who believe their team is capable of competing with Premier League opposition. The fifth-round tie promises to be a memorable occasion for the club and its supporters. Source