Former FA Cup winners Leicester City will begin their 2026-27 campaign with a tricky away trip to National League North side Oxford City. The draw, which was completed on Monday evening, pits the 2021 champions against sixth-tier opposition as they enter the competition at the first-round stage for the first time since 2008.
Russell Martin's side currently compete in League One following their relegation from the Premier League and sit 14th in the third tier after an inconsistent start to the season. The fixture against Oxford City represents a potential banana skin for the former top-flight club as they look to navigate the early rounds of English football's most famous knockout tournament.
The ties across the opening round are scheduled to take place around the weekend of Saturday, 7 November, with a total of 91 teams discovering their initial opponents. Among the eye-catching fixtures is a fascinating family clash between Peterborough United and Reading, which will see Posh manager Robbie Savage go head-to-head with his son Charlie's side.
The draw also highlighted the remarkable stories of non-league clubs making waves in the qualifying rounds. A total of four sides have successfully reached the first round proper of the competition for the very first time in their respective histories, capturing the traditional romance of the tournament.
Eighth-tier outfit AFC Rushden & Diamonds have enjoyed a remarkable run, navigating five successful qualifying matches to reach this stage. Their reward for this endurance is an away fixture against League One side Burton Albion, where they will attempt to pull off a major upset.
Meanwhile, the lowest-ranked team left in the hat, Tadley Calleva, showed incredible resilience by coming from behind twice to force a replay against Aldershot. Should they successfully negotiate that replay, they have been handed a potential trip to face League One outfit Barnsley.
At the opposite end of the EFL spectrum, League One leaders Bradford City enter the competition as the highest-ranked participating side. They will enjoy home advantage when they welcome National League North opponents Marine to Valley Parade for their opening fixture.
Other notable ties confirmed in the draw include Oldham Athletic hosting Sheffield Wednesday, while Wigan Athletic face a tricky journey to take on Boreham Wood. Leyton Orient have been paired with Harborough Town, and Newport County will entertain Walsall in front of their home supporters.
The competition has long provided a stage for minnows to dream of glory against established professional clubs. Teams from across the pyramid are eagerly preparing for the upcoming weekend of fixtures, hoping to write their own chapter in the rich history of the historic knockout tournament.
For Leicester, the fixture offers an opportunity to recapture some of the magic from their memorable triumph five years ago. Having dropped down the divisions in recent seasons, the Foxes will be determined to avoid any slip-ups against lower-league opposition on their travels in November.
The inclusion of League One and League Two clubs in Monday evening's draw brought a heightened sense of anticipation across the football pyramid. Lower-division managers and non-league bosses tuned in eagerly to see which ties would define their autumn schedules in the world-famous knockout tournament.
Leicester's recent domestic form has experienced turbulence, but manager Russell Martin will view the historic cup competition as a welcome distraction from league action. The Foxes recently secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers, providing some much-needed momentum that the squad intends to carry forward into upcoming fixtures.
Midfielder Kamari Doyle delivered a standout performance in that win against Doncaster, netting a stunning strike to double Leicester's advantage before a late own goal created a tense finale. Martin praised his players for maintaining their composure under pressure during those closing moments at the weekend.
The contrasting fortunes of former top-flight mainstays now operating in the lower tiers underline the unpredictable nature of the English game. Leicester supporters will fondly recall lifting the trophy in 2021, yet the immediate priority remains adapting to the physical demands of League One football while managing cup commitments.
Elsewhere in the extensive first-round pairings, Dover Athletic were drawn against Wealdstone in an intriguing all-non-league encounter. Mansfield Town will face the winner of the tie between Macclesfield and Anstey Nomads, adding further complexity to their preparations for November's fixtures.
Huddersfield Town have been handed a home tie against Exeter City, while Luton Town must navigate a trip to face either Chesham United or Forest Green Rovers. Bristol Rovers prepare to welcome Cambridge United to the Memorial Stadium in another tightly contested third-tier pairing.
Further down the fixture list, Kidderminster Harriers will test themselves against Doncaster Rovers, and Accrington Stanley are scheduled to lock horns with Wycombe Wanderers. Milton Keynes Dons will host Swindon Town in what promises to be a fiercely contested regional battle.
Bromley face a challenging test at home against Rotherham United, while Barnet welcome Tranmere Rovers to north London. Fleetwood Town will entertain Rochdale, and Plymouth Parkway are set to test their mettle against Berkhamsted in another fascinating lower-league clash.
Chesterfield await the outcome of the replay between Leatherhead and Yeovil Town, and Gillingham will meet the victors of the match involving Barrow and Gloucester City. Meanwhile, Bury or Harrogate Town will square off against AFC Fylde as the regional ties take shape.
Crewe Alexandra have been pitted against AFC Wimbledon, Oxford United will welcome Stevenage, and Port Vale take on Scunthorpe United. Cheltenham Town prepare to host FC Halifax Town, and Colchester City will face the winners of the tie between Chorley and Worcester City. Eastleigh face Shrewsbury Town, Wimborne Town welcome Crawley Town, and Plymouth Argyle play the winners of the match featuring Spalding United and Alvechurch. Hornchurch meet Blackpool, Guiseley play Sutton United, and York City entertain Northampton Town in the remaining fixtures.
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