West Ham will kick off their Carabao Cup campaign against Portsmouth in what was once an all-Premier League thriller as English Football League (EFL) clubs learned their fate in the competition’s first-round draw.The footballing world may be occupied with more important matters at the World Cup but the start of the new domestic season will feel nearer after ties were decided, with stand-out matchups also including a Devon derby between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City along with a trip to Middlesbrough for Wrexham.With nine Premier League sides in European competition, that extra round of fixtures will see newly-promoted York City and Rochdale take on Tranmere and Crawley respectively to decide the final two places in the first-round proper.The first-round ties will be played between 7-9 August.Follow all of the latest from the first-round draw with our live blog below:Carabao Cup round dates 2026/27A few dates for your diary if you are eyeing a deep Carabao Cup run – the competition will again sprawl from early August to the middle of march:Round One: Weekend of 7-9 August 2026 Round Two: w/c 24 August 2026 Round Three: w/c 7 September and w/c 14 September 2026 Round Four: w/c 26 October 2026 Round Five: w/c 14 December 2026 Semi-Final first leg: w/c 11 January 2027 Semi-Final second leg: w/c 1 February 2027 Final: Sunday 21 March 2027 Will Castle25 June 2026 17:10Highlights from drawWest Ham will kick off their Carabao Cup campaign against Portsmouth in what was once an all-Premier League thriller as English Football League (EFL) clubs learned their fate in the competition’s first-round draw.The footballing world may be occupied with more important matters at the World Cup but the start of the new domestic season will feel nearer after ties were decided, with stand-out matchups also including a Devon derby between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City along with a trip to Middlesbrough for Wrexham.Relegated Burnley and Wolves also discovered their first opponents, drawn at home against Notts County and Port Vale respectively.York, meanwhile, could face another lengthy trip down south if they beat Crawley in the preliminary round, with Watford awaiting the winner of that match.Will Castle25 June 2026 17:05Carabao Cup round one draw - Southern Section in fullQPR vs MillwallCheltenham vs CharltonGillingham vs Luton TownCardiff vs SwindonBristol City vs WalsallPlymouth vs Exeter CityBristol Rovers vs PeterboroughWatford vs York/CrawleyCambridge vs BarnetNorwich vs MK DonsColchester vs SouthamptonLeyton Orient vs OxfordWycombe vs StevenageBromley vs ReadingSwansea City vs BirminghamWest Ham vs PortsmouthAFC Wimbledon vs NewportLeicester vs NorthamptonWill Castle25 June 2026 16:53Carabao Cup round one draw - Northern Section in fullMiddlesbrough vs WrexhamRotherham vs West BromBarnsley vs WiganMansfield vs Sheffield UnitedStockport vs Doncaster RoversSheffield Wednesday vs BoltonFleetwood vs ChesterfieldCrewe vs AccringtonStoke vs OldhamWolves vs Port ValeBurnley vs Notts CountyDerby vs LincolnBradford vs Tranmere or RochdaleBurton vs BlackburnSalford vs ShrewsburyGrimsby vs BlackpoolPreston vs HuddersfieldWill Castle25 June 2026 16:52Carabao Cup draw LIVEAnd that’s your lot!We’ll bring you the full draw imminently.Will Castle25 June 2026 16:47Carabao Cup draw LIVELeicester vs NorthamptonWill Castle25 June 2026 16:47Carabao Cup draw LIVEAFC Wimbledon vs NewportWill Castle25 June 2026 16:47Carabao Cup draw LIVEWest Ham vs PortsmouthWill Castle25 June 2026 16:46Carabao Cup draw LIVESwansea vs BirminghamWill Castle25 June 2026 16:46Carabao Cup draw LIVEBromley vs ReadingWill Castle25 June 2026 16:46