Wrexham welcome Nottingham Forest to the Racecourse Ground for their opening match in the 2025/26 FA Cup third round on Friday evening. The Championship side, riding a four-game winning streak, face a Premier League outfit that snapped a four-match losing run with a victory at West Ham. Both teams have announced their starting line-ups amid several injury concerns.
The fixture kicks off at 19:30 GMT at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground, marking the first competitive meeting between the clubs in this season's FA Cup. Wrexham sit a point shy of the Championship play-off spots, bolstered by seven unbeaten home games. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, sit seven points clear of the Premier League relegation zone after their 2-1 comeback win over West Ham on Tuesday.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has made four changes to the side that beat Derby County 2-1 on Saturday. Centre-back Dan Scarr, left-back Liberato Cacace, and midfielders George Dobson and Ollie Rathbone come in, replacing defender Max Cleworth, midfielder George Thomason, defender or midfielder Matty James, and Josh Windass—who is fit enough for the bench despite an injury doubt. Top scorer Kieffer Moore and forward Ryan Hardie remain sidelined, while on-loan Manchester City right-back Issa Kabore is absent after Burkina Faso's exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Cleworth and James are not on the bench, possibly indicating injuries.
The Wrexham starting XI is: Arthur Okonkwo; Dan Scarr, Dominic Hyam, Callum Doyle; George Dobson, Oliver Rathbone, Ben Sheaf; Nathan Broadhead, Ryan Longman, Sam Smith; Liberato Cacace. Substitutes include Callum Burton, Conor Coady, James McClean, Josh Windass, George Thomason, Jay Rodriguez, Lewis O’Brien, Ryan Barnett, and Harry Ashfield.
Nottingham Forest have rung the changes with eight alterations, keeping only goalkeeper Matz Sels, winger Omari Hutchinson, and striker Igor Jesus from their midweek lineup. Switzerland international Dan Ndoye overcomes a calf issue to make his first appearance since December 14. Absences include goalkeeper John Victor, full-back Ola Aina, midfielder Ryan Yates, and forward Chris Wood due to injuries, while centre-back Willy Boly and a midfielder are with Ivory Coast's AFCON squad.
Forest's starting XI: Sels; Savona, Cunha, Morato; Zinchenko, Douglas Luiz, McAtee, Bawka; Hutchinson, Ndoye, Jesus. Substitutes are to be confirmed.
UK viewers can watch live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, and the Discovery Plus app, with coverage starting at kick-off.
