The road to Wembley continues on Monday, 19 October, as the draw for the first round proper of the 2026/27 FA Cup takes place, bringing League One and League Two clubs into the competition for the first time this season.

A total of 80 ball numbers will feature in the draw, with several non-league sides hoping to secure memorable ties against Football League opposition. Former Premier League champions Leicester City are among the biggest names involved, alongside Sheffield Wednesday, Luton Town and Wigan Athletic.

Four clubs have made history by reaching the first round proper for the first time: AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Berkhamsted, Plymouth Parkway and Sholing. Their presence adds another chapter to the competition's reputation for giving smaller clubs the chance to challenge established opponents.

The FA Cup has produced some remarkable upsets in recent years. Last season, holders Crystal Palace suffered a stunning elimination at the hands of sixth-tier Macclesfield, while Boreham Wood, Brackley, Carlisle and Gateshead were among the clubs to knock out EFL opposition.

Premier League and Championship clubs will not enter until the third round in January, meaning the opening stages offer lower-league and non-league sides an opportunity to take centre stage.

With potential giant-killings, historic first appearances and intriguing ties ahead, Monday's draw will determine the next step in the journey for clubs across England.

Full FA Cup first-round draw ball numbers

The following 80 ball numbers will be included in the 2026/27 FA Cup first-round draw, featuring League One, League Two and qualifying non-league clubs.

1. Accrington Stanley 
2. AFC Wimbledon
3. Barnet
4. Barnsley
5. Blackpool
6. Bradford City
7. Bristol Rovers
8. Bromley
9. Burton Albion
10. Cambridge United
11. Cheltenham Town
12. Chesterfield
13. Colchester United
14. Crawley Town
15. Crewe Alexandra
16. Doncaster Rovers
17. Exeter City
18. Fleetwood Town
19. Gillingham  
20. Grimsby Town
21. Huddersfield Town
22. Leicester City
23. Leyton Orient
24. Luton Town
25. Mansfield Town
26. Milton Keynes Dons
27. Newport County
28. Northampton Town
29. Notts County
30. Oldham Athletic
31. Oxford United
32. Peterborough United
33. Plymouth Argyle
34. Port Vale
35. Reading
36. Rochdale
37. Rotherham United
38. Salford City
39. Sheffield Wednesday 
40. Shrewsbury Town
41. Stevenage
42. Stockport County
43. Swindon Town
44. Tranmere Rovers 
45. Walsall
46. Wigan Athletic
47. Wycombe Wanderers
48. York City
49. Harborough Town 
50. Chorley or Worcester City
51. Gateshead or Stafford Rangers
52. FC Halifax Town 
53. Guiseley 
54. Barrow or Gloucester City
55. Marine
56. Scunthorpe United
57. Macclesfield or Anstey Nomads
58. Altrincham or FC United of Manchester  
59. Bury or Harrogate Town 
60. Spalding United or Alvechurch 
61. AFC Rushden & Diamonds 
62. Kidderminster Harriers 
63. Carlisle United 
64. AFC Fylde 
65. Salisbury 
66. Sutton United 
67. Chesham United or Forest Green Rovers
68. Leatherhead or Yeovil Town
69. Bedford Town or Cray Wanderers
70. Hornchurch 
71. Aldershot Town or Tadley Calleva
72. Oxford City
73. Wimborne Town 
74. Wealdstone 
75. Boreham Wood 
76. Eastleigh 
77. Berkhamsted
78. Sholing 
79. Plymouth Parkway 
80. Dover Athletic