The stage is set for the 2025/26 Carabao Cup as the English Football League (EFL) conducted the first round draw on Thursday evening, pairing clubs from the Championship, League One, and League Two in what promises to be an exciting curtain-raiser for England’s domestic cup season.
Notably absent from this round are defending champions Newcastle United and other Premier League sides, who will join the competition in the later stages. However, the current lineup still offers mouthwatering fixtures and plenty of drama for fans across the country.
One of the most anticipated ties sees Coventry City drawn at home against Luton Town in a match that rekindles the fire of their gripping 2023 Championship play-off final clash. With both teams now in the EFL, this game carries historical weight and emotional significance, offering Coventry a chance at revenge while Luton looks to reaffirm its superiority.
Elsewhere, former Premier League side Leicester City, now adjusting to life in the Championship after a recent relegation, will travel to Huddersfield Town in a fixture that promises intensity and scrutiny. Birmingham City, another team with a top-flight past, will go head-to-head with Sheffield United, who also dropped from the Premier League last season, in what could be one of the most competitive ties of the round.
The Southern Section features a host of enticing matchups, including a West Country showdown between Bristol City and MK Dons, while Watford’s draw against Norwich City is another notable fixture between sides with top-flight ambitions. A South Coast meeting between Portsmouth and Reading will also draw attention, as both clubs seek to return to their former glories.
In the Northern Section, Salford City, co-owned by Manchester United’s Class of ’92, will take on Rotherham United, while Stockport County faces Crewe Alexandra. Wrexham, continuing their rise under celebrity ownership, will host Hull City in what is expected to be a sold-out clash.
Several other historic and ambitious clubs will also begin their cup journey, with ties like Blackburn Rovers vs. Bradford City, Middlesbrough vs. Doncaster Rovers, and West Bromwich Albion vs. Derby County setting the stage for a compelling first round.
The first-round matches are scheduled for early August, offering clubs across the divisions an early opportunity to gain momentum, test their squads, and possibly launch a deep run in one of English football’s most cherished cup competitions.
What You Should Know
The 2025/26 Carabao Cup first round includes only clubs from the English Football League, with Premier League sides joining later.
The draw delivered several headline fixtures, notably Coventry City vs Luton Town, a replay of the 2023 Championship play-off final. Matches are to be played in early August, marking the official start of the domestic cup season.
