Sports
2025/2026 Carabao Cup First Round Draw Confirmed [Full fixtures]

The first round draw for the 2025/26 Carabao Cup was held on Thursday evening, setting up a series of exciting ties across the English Football League (EFL).
Reigning champions Newcastle United, along with other Premier League clubs, were not included in this stage of the competition. Their entry will come in the later rounds.
A standout fixture from the draw sees Coventry City face Luton Town: a repeat of the dramatic 2023 Championship play-off final, reigniting a recent rivalry between the two sides.
Recently relegated Leicester City will begin their Carabao Cup journey with an away trip to Huddersfield Town, while Birmingham City square off against fellow former Premier League side Sheffield United in another high-profile clash.
READ ALSO:Club World Cup 2025: 8 Teams Qualify For Round Of 16
Here is the full draw for the Carabao Cup:
Carabao Cup First Round Draw in Full
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
READ ALSO:PSG Beat Reims To Win French Cup Ahead Of Champions League Final
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
READ ALSO:Man City Sink Forest To Reach Third Successive FA Cup Final
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
The ties will be played in early August as clubs look to make an early mark in the domestic cup competition.
Sports
EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title
Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.
City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.
The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.
READ ALSO:EPL: Chelsea Winger, Mudryk Banned For Four Years After Failing Drug Test
Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.
He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.
“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”
Sports
UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies
Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.
Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.
Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.
READ ALSO:EPL: Guardiola Reveals Only Chance Man City Will Win Title Ahead Of Arsenal
According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.
“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.
“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.
READ ALSO:EPL: Arsenal In Shock Move To Sign Kvaratskhelia From PSG
“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.
“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”
Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.
Sports
Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.
Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.
In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.
“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.
READ ALSO:Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office
He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.
“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.
The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.
Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.
READ ALSO:2025 NYG: Be Determined, Enabulele Charges Team Edo, As Screening Commences In A’Ibom
“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.
Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.
“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.
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