The first round draw has been made for the 2026/27 edition of the Carabao Cup, capping off a busy day across the EFL.
Earlier this morning, clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two learned their schedule for the upcoming season. The EFL Trophy draw was completed shortly after, with Premier League under-21 sides added to the 16 groups that were announced earlier this week.
Last season’s edition of the League Cup was won by Manchester City, who secured a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the final at Wembley Stadium in March. There was also some success from the EFL, with Cardiff City – then of League One – reaching the quarter final where they were defeated by Chelsea.
For the second successive year, there will be a preliminary round taking place before the main draw. This is due to nine Premier League teams competing in Europe this season. These fixtures have already been announced and will see York City host Crawley Town and Rochdale travel to Tranmere Rovers.
Relegated Trio Learn First Round Fate
West Ham United, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers were new editions to the first round following their relegation from the Premier League. It is the first time the Hammers have competed in this stage of the competition since their brief stay in the Championship in the 2011/12 season.
They will open their account in the competition with a home clash against Portsmouth, whilst Wolves and Burnley will host Port Vale and Notts County respectively,
First Round Draw In Full
Northern Section
Middlesbrough vs Wrexham
Rotherham United vs West Bromwich Albion
Barnsley vs Wigan Athletic
Mansfield Town vs Sheffield United
Stockport County vs Doncaster Rovers
Sheffield Wednesday vs Bolton Wanderers
Fleetwood Town vs Chesterfield
Crewe Alexandra vs Accrington Stanley
Stoke City vs Oldham Athletic
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Port Vale
Burnley vs Notts County
Derby County vs Lincoln City
Bradford City vs Tranmere Rovers or Rochdale
Burton Albion vs Blackburn Rovers
Salford City vs Shrewsbury Town
Grimsby Town vs Blackpool
Preston North End vs Huddersfield Town
Southern Section
Queens Park Rangers vs Millwall
Cheltenham Town vs Charlton Athletic
Gillingham vs Luton Town
Cardiff City vs Swindon Town
Bristol City vs Walsall
Plymouth Argyle vs Exeter City
Bristol Rovers vs Peterborough United
Watford vs York City or Crawley Town
Cambridge United vs Barnet
Norwich City vs Milton Keynes Dons
Colchester United vs Southampton
Leyton Orient vs Oxford United
Wycombe Wanderers vs Stevenage
Bromley vs Reading
Swansea City vs Birmingham City
West Ham United vs Portsmouth
AFC Wimbledon vs Newport County
Leicester City vs Northampton Town
