The draw for the 2025–26 FA Cup round has set up a number of interesting encounters involving Premier League teams, yet it fell short of creating a marquee clash as the tournament reached its most eagerly awaited phase.
One of the standout matches features Aston Villa’s visit to Tottenham Hotspur. Villa, flourishing with Unai Emery at the helm, will take on a Spurs team to assert itself under new boss Thomas Frank in what promises to be one of the most challenging encounters of the round. Another notable Premier League clash will have Newcastle United playing AFC Bournemouth, a game with history due to Eddie Howe’s ties to both sides.
Arsenal and Chelsea have been given games away from home, although against lower-division teams. Arsenal will travel to Portsmouth, whereas Chelsea will take a trip to take on Charlton Athletic. Manchester United have the most challenging fixture, among the big boys, hosting Premier League competitors Brighton & Hove Albion in a top-tier contest. Manchester City will play League One team Exeter City at home. Liverpool will receive Barnsley at Anfield.
Everton, West Ham and Wolves are the Premier League clubs set to play at home, with Everton’s match against Sunderland anticipated to be among the most exciting encounters. Nottingham Forest’s visit to Wrexham is also drawing interest as the Hollywood-supported Welsh team hopes for a memorable upset.
Non-league teams felt somewhat let down by the draw as Boreham Wood received a home match against the victor of Brackley Town vs Burton Albion, preventing those clubs from securing the visit to a Premier League ground they had anticipated.
The FA Cup third round is set for the weekend of January 10 2026, with teams hoping for a possible journey to Wembley. The final will take place on May 16 2026, again occurring ahead of the round of Premier League games, guaranteeing the iconic tournament remains in the spotlight.
Crystal Palace will participate in the tournament as the reigning champions, having secured their inaugural major title last season following a notable 1–0 triumph against Manchester City led by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
With Premier League giants, ambitious lower-league clubs and potential giant-killings on the horizon, the stage is set for another memorable chapter of English football’s most famous cup competition.
2025–26 FA Cup Third Round Draw
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Shrewsbury Town
Doncaster Rovers vs. Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa
Port Vale vs. Fleetwood Town
Preston North End vs. Wigan Athletic
Ipswich Town vs. Blackpool
Wrexham vs. Nottingham Forest
Charlton Athletic vs. Chelsea
Manchester City vs. Exeter City
West Ham United vs. Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Brentford
Fulham vs. Middlesbrough
Everton vs. Sunderland
Liverpool vs. Barnsley
Burnley vs. Millwall
Norwich City vs. Walsall
Portsmouth vs. Arsenal
Derby County vs. Leeds United
Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion
Salford City vs. Swindon Town
Boreham Wood vs. Brackley Town or Burton Albion
Grimsby Town vs. Weston-super-Mare
Hull City vs. Blackburn Rovers
Newcastle United vs. AFC Bournemouth
Milton Keynes Dons vs. Oxford United
Cheltenham Town vs. Leicester City
Cambridge United vs. Birmingham City
Bristol City vs. Watford
Stoke City vs. Coventry City
Macclesfield FC vs. Crystal Palace
Manchester United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
Sheffield United vs. Mansfield Town
