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Leicester, Wigan and 80 others learn FA Cup first-round opponents in Monday draw

The 2026-27 FA Cup first-round draw takes place on Monday 19 October, bringing 48 League One and League Two sides together with 32 non-league clubs — including four teams making their first-round proper debut.

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Leicester, Wigan and 80 others learn FA Cup first-round opponents in Monday draw
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The 2026-27 FA Cup first-round draw is set for Monday 19 October, with 80 clubs — 48 from League One and League Two plus 32 non-league survivors — discovering their opponents for the competition’s opening round proper.

Former winners Leicester City (2021), Wigan Athletic (2013), Sheffield Wednesday (1896, 1907, 1935) and Huddersfield Town (1922) are among the most prominent names in the hat, offering potential giant-killing opportunities for the non-league sides who have battled through the qualifying rounds.

Four clubs will be appearing in the FA Cup first round proper for the very first time. Eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds — founded in 2011 following the demise of the original Rushden & Diamonds — earned their place with a 2-1 win over National League North side Morecambe in the fourth qualifying round. Seventh-tier Berkhamsted join them after beating Southend 2-1 at Roots Hall, with Sholing and Plymouth Parkway completing the historic quartet.

The lowest-ranked side in the draw is ninth-tier Tadley Calleva, who secured a replay against National League club Aldershot after a 2-2 draw in the fourth qualifying round.

The draw is scheduled to begin at approximately 6:35pm BST on Monday 19 October and will be hosted by Matt Smith, with former Arsenal defender Martin Keown and ex-England international Fara Williams conducting the draw.

FA Cup first-round draw ball numbers (selected)

  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.
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