West Ham will kick off their Carabao Cup campaign against Portsmouth in what was once an all-Premier League thriller, as English Football League clubs learned their fate in the competition’s first-round draw on Thursday. The Hammers were back in the pot after suffering relegation last season, and the tie is scheduled for the weekend of 7-9 August, launching the 2026-27 season.
Both relegated alongside West Ham, Wolves and Burnley have home ties against Port Vale and Notts County respectively, while Millwall’s trip to QPR is another stand-out fixture. Wrexham face a tough test against Championship promotion rivals Middlesbrough, and a Devon derby is on the horizon as Plymouth Argyle meet Exeter City.
“West Ham will face Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup first round, scheduled for 7-9 August to launch the 2026-27 season.”
Sheffield United will be seeking revenge at Mansfield following their surprise FA Cup defeat to the Stags at Bramall Lane in January, while Derby play Lincoln at Pride Park – Lincoln back in the second tier for the first time in 65 years. Sheffield Wednesday, winners in 1991 but relegated to League One last season, host newly promoted Championship side Bolton. Southampton travel to Colchester, and Norwich have a home tie against MK Dons.
York, back in the English Football League for the first time in a decade, will be rewarded with a trip to Watford if they get past Crawley in the preliminary round. Rochdale also need to get through a preliminary round against Tranmere to face Bradford in the first round proper.