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The first-round draw for the 2026-27 FA Cup takes place this evening as League One and League Two clubs enter the fray
The 2026-27 FA Cup has reached the first-round stage, marking the entry point for some EFL teams who will find out their fate when the draw takes place this evening.
Thirty-two non-league sides, who have battled through the qualifying rounds, have their names in the hat alongside 48 teams from League One and League Two, including plenty of big names and former FA Cup winners.
The likes of Leicester City (2021 winners), Wigan Athletic (2013 winners), Sheffield Wednesday (1896, 1907 and 1935 winners) and Huddersfield Town (1922 winners) are some of the plum ties available, while four teams will be playing in the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in their history.
Eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds are one of that quartet after stunning National League North side Morecambe 2-1 in the fourth qualifying round, with seventh-tier trio Berkhamsted, Sholing and Plymouth Parkway also there for the first time.
Meanwhile, ninth-tier Tadley Calleva are the lowest-ranked team in the hat after brilliantly securing a replay with National League side Aldershot following a 2-2 draw.
The 2026-27 FA Cup has reached the first-round stage, with some EFL teams now entering the competition and they will find out their fate when the draw takes place this evening.
Thirty-two non-league sides, who have battled through the qualifying rounds, have their names in the hat alongside 48 teams from League One and League Two, including plenty of big names and former FA Cup winners. The likes of Leicester City (2021 winners), Wigan Athletic (2013 winners), Sheffield Wednesday (1896, 1907 and 1935 winners) and Huddersfield Town (1922 winners) are some of the plum ties available, while four teams will be playing in the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in their history.
Eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds, who were founded in 2011 after the demise of Rushden & Diamonds, are one of that quartet after stunning National League North side Morecambe 2-1 in the fourth qualifying round, with seventh-tier trio Berkhamsted – who beat Southend 2-1 at Roots Hall to secure their spot – Sholing and Plymouth Parkway also there for the first time.
Meanwhile, ninth-tier Tadley Calleva are the lowest-ranked team in the hat after brilliantly securing a replay with National League side Aldershot following a 2-2 draw.
Mike Jones19 October 2026 18:00
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s FA Cup first round draw blog.
The cup action gets underway proper as the professional teams from League One and League Two enter the tournament.
Those include former FA Cup winners Leicester City and Wigan Athletic.
There are also four teams who have qualified for the FA Cup first round for the first time in their history and they’ll be hoping for as long a run as possible.
We’ll have all the latest updates from the draw which is due to kick off in a half an hour’s time.
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