Carabao Cup first round full draw as West Ham learn tricky opponents

West Ham United will host Portsmouth at the London Stadium in the Carabao Cup first round following today's draw, marking the Hammers' return to this stage of the competition for the first time in 15 years after their relegation from the top flight.

The all-Championship encounter evokes memories of when the two sides regularly met in Premier League fixtures.

Nuno Espirito Santo's squad will welcome Pompey before the second-tier season gets underway, with the tie forming part of the weekend fixtures scheduled between 7 and 9 August.

The last time West Ham competed at this stage, they suffered a shock defeat to Aldershot at Upton Park.

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Wolves and Burnley, who dropped out of the Premier League alongside the Hammers, have both been handed home fixtures in the opening round.

Wolves will entertain League Two side Port Vale at Molineux, whilst Burnley take on League One newcomers Notts County at Turf Moor.

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Elsewhere in the draw, Leicester City will host Northampton Town as the Foxes begin their campaign in League One following their own recent troubles.

Southampton face a trip to Colchester, whilst Norwich City have been paired with MK Dons at Carrow Road.

Sheffield Wednesday, relegated to League One last term, will meet newly promoted Bolton Wanderers on home soil.

The draw produced several eye-catching encounters across both regional sections.

Middlesbrough will welcome Wrexham to the Riverside Stadium in what promises to be a compelling clash between two Championship promotion hopefuls.

A Devon derby awaits as Plymouth Argyle take on Exeter City, whilst London rivals QPR and Millwall will renew hostilities at Loftus Road.

Sheffield United travel to Mansfield Town, where the Blades will be seeking to avenge their surprise FA Cup exit to the Stags at Bramall Lane back in January.

Derby County face Lincoln City at Pride Park, with the Imps returning to the second tier for the first time in 65 years.

All 35 first-round ties will take place over the weekend of 7 to 9 August, launching the 2026-27 domestic season before league campaigns commence.

The competition divides clubs into northern and southern sections during the early rounds, with sides competing in UEFA tournaments entering at the third-round stage.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace will all join at that point due to their European commitments.

Four clubs must navigate a preliminary round before reaching the first round proper, with York City facing Crawley Town and Rochdale meeting Tranmere Rovers to determine the final two places.

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Carabao Cup first round full draw

SOUTHERN SECTION

Coventry City vs Luton Town Bristol City vs MK Dons Bromley vs Ipswich Town Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge United Leyton Orient vs Wycombe Wanderers Watford vs Norwich City Charlton Athletic vs Stevenage Oxford United vs Colchester United Barnet or Newport County vs Millwall Cardiff City vs Swindon Town Gillingham vs AFC Wimbledon Northampton Town vs Southampton Cheltenham Town vs Exeter City Plymouth Argyle vs QPR Swansea City vs Crawley Town Portsmouth vs Reading

NORTHERN SECTION

Barrow vs Preston North End Grimsby Town vs Shrewsbury Town Blackpool vs Port Vale Salford City vs Rotherham United Harrogate Town vs Lincoln City Tranmere Rovers vs Burton Albion Stockport County vs Crewe Alexandra Huddersfield Town vs Leicester City Wrexham vs Hull City Birmingham City vs Sheffield United Stoke City vs Walsall Accrington Stanley/Oldham Athletic vs Peterborough United Blackburn Rovers vs Bradford City Middlesbrough vs Doncaster Rovers West Bromwich Albion vs Derby County Bolton Wanderers vs Sheffield Wednesday Chesterfield vs Mansfield Town Barnsley vs Fleetwood Town Wigan Athletic vs Notts County

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