The Carabao Cup first round draw took place at 4.30pm today, setting the stage for the 2026-27 season’s early cup action even as the World Cup commands global attention. All 70 teams now know their opponents, with ties scheduled for early August.
Leicester City will host Northampton Town in a local derby, while West Ham United entertain Portsmouth at the London Stadium. Other standout fixtures include Swansea City against Birmingham City, Wimbledon versus Newport County, and Leyton Orient facing Oxford United. Premier League sides enter at later stages, but the first round features several intriguing matchups: Burnley take on Notts County, Wolves travel to Port Vale, and Middlesbrough welcome Wrexham.
“Carabao Cup first round draw pits Leicester vs Northampton and West Ham vs Portsmouth.”
Before the first round proper, two preliminary ties must be settled. Tranmere Rovers play Rochdale on 1 August, and York City meet Crawley Town on 3 August. The winners will complete the first-round lineup: Bradford City will face either Tranmere or Rochdale, and Watford will play the victor of York vs Crawley.
The draw was conducted in two sections – northern and southern – with fixtures due to be played in the week commencing 10 August. The competition resumes after Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 in last season’s final at Wembley, courtesy of two goals from Nico O’Reilly, a result that feels distant as attentions turn to the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the League One fixtures for the 2026-27 season have also been released, offering fans a full schedule for the campaign ahead. Club-by-club guides are available online, allowing supporters to plan their season from the opening weekend onward.
With the Carabao Cup draw complete and league calendars out, the new season is rapidly taking shape – though for now, the World Cup remains the primary focus of the football world.