2025–26 FA Youth Cup

2025–26 FA Youth Cup
Tournament details
Teams535
Tournament statistics
Top goal scorer Valentin Joseph Blackburn Rovers (8 Goals)

The 2025–26 FA Youth Cup was the 74th edition of the competition.

The competition consisted of several rounds and was preceded by a qualifying competition, starting with one preliminary round which was followed by three qualifying rounds for non-League teams. The Football League teams entered the draw thereafter, with League One and League Two teams entered in the first round proper, and Premier League and Championship teams entered in the third round proper.

535 clubs were accepted into the competition almost 100 less than last year's competition although this is because 10th tier clubs are no longer eligible for the competition. The current defending Champions are Aston Villa who defeated Manchester City 3–1 at the Villa Park in front of 25,073 fans.

Calendar

Round Matches played from Matches Clubs New entries
Preliminary round 1 September 2025 188 535 → 347 380
First round qualifying 15 September 2025 118 347 → 229 44
Second round qualifying 29 September 2025 70 229 → 159 22
Third round qualifying 13 October 2025 35 159 → 124
First round 1 November 2025 40 124 → 84 45
Second round 22 November 2025 20 84 → 64
Third round 13 December 2025 32 64 → 32 44
Fourth round 24 January 2026 16 32 → 16
Fifth round 21 February 2026 8 16 → 8
Quarter-finals 14 March 2026 4 8 → 4
Semi-finals 11 April 2026 2 4 → 2
Final 9 May 2026 1 2 → 1

Qualifying rounds

Preliminary round

380 teams from the 7th to 9th Tiers compete in this round of the competition. 4 clubs get a bye into the First Qualifying Round, Blyth Spartans (8), Chasetown (8), Colney Heath (9), and Dereham Town (9). Before the competition began there were 11 walkovers, as Downton, Farsley Celtic, Fleet Town, Grimsby Borough, Hythe Town, Kettering Town, Padiham, Pagham, Redhill, Uttoxeter Town, and Whitehawk all left the competition. The draw was done on July 4, 2025, alongside the First Qualifying Round.[1]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Tier 5 [a] Tier 6 [b] Tier 7 Tier 8 Tier 9 Total
22 / 22
44 / 44
75 / 75
124 / 124
181 / 181
446 / 446

First Qualifying Round

The 188 winners of the preliminary round join the 44 teams from the National League North, and National League South. Although there are 48 teams in the 6th Tier, Farnborough, Hornchurch, Peterborough Sports, and Worksop Town did not apply to join the competition this year. The draw was done on July 4, 2025, alongside the Preliminary Round. 1 club Folkestone Invicta withdrew from the competition at this stage resulting in 12 walkovers in the competition so far.[1]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Tier 5 [a] Tier 6 Tier 7 Tier 8 Tier 9 Total
22 / 22
44 / 44
44 / 75
63 / 124
85 / 181
258 / 446

Second Round Qualifying

The winners from the previous round will join the 22 teams from the 5th Tier National League. Although there are 24 teams in this tier, Braintree Town, and Scunthorpe United did not apply to the Youth Cup this season. The draw was made on 19 September 2025.[2]Truro City withdrew from the competition at this stage resulting in 13 walkovers in the competition so far.

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Tier 5 Tier 6 Tier 7 Tier 8 Tier 9 Total
22 / 22
26 / 44
25 / 75
29 / 124
38 / 181
140 / 446

Third Round Qualifying

The 70 winners from the previous round will compete in this round for a spot in the competition proper. 16 teams from the ninth tier are the lowest ranked teams remaining in the competition. The draw was made on 3 October 2025.[3]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Tier 5 Tier 6 Tier 7 Tier 8 Tier 9 Total
12 / 22
16 / 44
16 / 75
13 / 124
13 / 181
70 / 446
Number of teams per tier still in competition after the Qualifying Rounds
Tier 5 Tier 6 Tier 7 Tier 8 Tier 9 Total
5 / 22
11 / 44
7 / 75
8 / 124
5 / 181
35 / 446

Competition Proper

First Round

45 teams from League One and League Two joined the 35 winners from the previous round. Accrington Stanley[4] closed their academy, and Barrow, and Crawley Town will not participate in this round as they did not apply to enter the competition. Wycombe Wanderers set to return for the first time since 2011/12 after they reopened their academy. The lowest ranked teams are 9th tier Aylestone Park, Easington Sports, Hamble Club, Mangotsfield United and Stockport Town. The Draw was done 17 October 2025.[5]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League[c] Championship[c] League One League Two Non-League Total
20 / 20
24 / 24
24 / 24
21 / 21
35 / 35
124 / 124
22 October 2025 Kidderminster Harriers (6)1–3 Mansfield Town (3) Kidderminster
19:30 GMT
  • Minaker 51'
  • Grant 2'
  • Cheetham 45+1'
  • Walters 61'
Stadium: Aggborough
Attendance: 381
Referee: Julia Kings
26 October 2025 Peterborough United (3) 5–0Lincoln City (3)Peterborough
19:00 GMT
  • Shofowoke 11', 57'
  • Mendonca 27'
  • Fox 46'
  • Mlityalwa 53'
Report Stadium: London Road
Attendance: 429
Referee: Ian Ruddock
27 October 2025 Milton Keynes Dons (4) 2–1Shrewsbury Town (4)Denbigh
19;00 GMT
  • Osborne 31'
  • Mackin 33'
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 341
Referee: Samuel Lee
27 October 2025 Reading (3) 3–0Bracknell Town (7)Reading
19:00 GMT
  • Fuller-Thompson 45+5', 62'
  • Ntege 70'
Stadium: Madjeski Stadium
Attendance: 676
Referee: Callum Peter
27 October 2025 Macclesfield (6)0–5 Barnsley (3) Macclesfield
19:30 GMT
  • Ogbu 49', 84'
  • Town 56'
  • Woodcock 74'
  • Kay 78'
Stadium: Moss Rose
Attendance: 376
Referee: Mark Reeves
27 October 2025 Chesterfield (4)4–7 (a.e.t.) Aylestone Park (9) Alfreton
19:30 GMT
  • Stringer 7', 40', 50', 60'
  • Cooke 11'
  • Kane 15', 19', 86', 93'
  • Haffane 104'
  • Neal 119'
Stadium: North Street
Attendance: 180
Referee: Waqar Ahmad
27 October 2025 Boldmere St. Michaels (8) 2–0AFC Telford United (6)Boldmere
19:45 GMT
  • Francis 28', 53'
Stadium: Boldmere Community Stadium
Attendance: 271
Referee: Richard Walker
28 October 2025 Carlisle United (5)0–1 Blackpool (3) Carlisle
19:00 GMT
  • Whaite 86'
Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 529
Referee: Samuel Ross
28 October 2025 Fleetwood Town (4) 2–1Stockport County (3)Fleetwood
19:00 GMT
  • Huddleston 23'
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 240
Referee: Bilal Moosa
28 October 2025 Wigan Athletic (3) 2–1Salford City (4)Wigan
19:00 GMT
  • Wessldine 25'
  • Gelhardt 69'
  • Zlitni 54'
Stadium: Brick Community Stadium
Attendance: 541
Referee: Matthew Langdon
28 October 2025 Bolton Wanderers (3) 2–1Chester (6)Horwich
19:00 GMT
  • Ritchie 38'
  • Kirkpatrick 83'
  • Salvatore 21'
Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium
Attendance: 354
Referee: Francis Sibley
28 October 2025 Burton Albion (3)0–1 Port Vale (3) Burton upon Trent
19:00 GMT
  • Scragg 66'
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 426
Referee: Callum Timperley
28 October 2025 Crewe Alexandra (4) 2–1Notts County (4)Crewe
19:00 GMT
  • Baker 35'
  • Swann 69' (pen.)
  • Smart 32'
Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 377
Referee: Joshua Howell
28 October 2025 Cambridge United (4) 4–0Slough Town (6)Cambridge
19:00 GMT
  • Crace 49'
  • Efobi 51', 73' (pen.)
  • Ebanks-Blake 89'
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 351
Referee: Matthew Rowling
28 October 2025 Cardiff City (3)0–1 Cheltenham Town (4) Leckwith
19:00 GMT
  • Hill 13'
Stadium: Cardiff International Sports Campus
Attendance: 132
Referee: Paul Collier
28 October 2025 Exeter City (3)2–3 Forest Green Rovers (5) Taunton
19:00 GMT
  • Appleton 24'
  • Baker 78'
  • Glover 13' (pen.), 33'
  • Williams 65'
Stadium: Wordsworth Drive
Attendance: 100
Referee: Jake Woolley
28 October 2025 Bishop’s Stortford (7)0–3 Southend United (5) Bishop's Stortford
19:30 GMT
  • Dadson 58', 90+13'
  • Telford 67'
Stadium: Woodside Park
Attendance: 614
Referee: Thomas Kelly
28 October 2025 Stevenage (3) 6–0Eastbourne Borough (6)Stevenage
19:30 GMT
  • Ayolie 6', 46', 50'
  • Brown 54'
  • Doherty 69'
  • Impey 90+3'
Stadium: Broadhall Way
Attendance: 326
Referee: Jonathan Lam
28 October 2025 Oxford City (6) 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)
Chippenham Town (6)Marston
19:30 GMT Stadium: Court Place Farm
Attendance: 273
Referee: Daniel Lamport
Penalties
  • Starkey
  • Fornal
  • Dix
  • Parker Hunt
  • Tzenko
  • Maxwell
  • Royston
  • Keith
  • Arlow
  • Taylor
  • Cook
  • Davies
29 October 2025 York City (5) 4–2Stockport Town (9)Pickering
19:00 GMT
  • Mallinson 68'
  • Ferguson 85'
Stadium: Mill Lane
Attendance: 145
Referee: Ashley Royston
29 October 2025 Rotherham United (3) 2–0Huddersfield Town (3)Rotherham
19:00 GMT
  • Clarke 4'
  • Gardner 56'
Stadium: New York Stadium
Attendance: 303
Referee: Callum Coller-Booth
29 October 2025 Tranmere Rovers (4) 4–0Harrogate Town (4)Birkenhead
19:00 GMT
  • Barton 2'
  • Mann 26', 32', 39'
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 196
Referee: Jamie Roberts
29 October 2025 FC Halifax Town (5) 4–1Oldham Athletic (4)Brighouse
19:00 GMT
  • Bartkiw 30', 46'
  • Erianiator 40'
  • Hill 90+1'
  • Hughes 32'
Stadium: St Giles Road
Attendance: 287
Referee: Jon Ashworth-Sears
29 October 2025 AFC Wimbledon (3)2–5 Colchester United (4) Wimbledon
19:00 GMT
  • Hedges 30'
  • Moore 40'
  • Vale 21'
  • Sasere 55'
  • Emery 71'
  • Moore 77', 90+4'
Stadium: Plough Lane
Attendance: 500
Referee: Ryan Calver
29 October 2025 Plymouth Argyle (3) 3–0Mangotsfield United (9)Plymouth
19:00 GMT
  • Sandhu 35'
  • Burch 86'
  • Sharpe 89'
Stadium: Home Park
Attendance: 377
Referee: Luke McFarlane
29 October 2025 Barnet (4) 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(6–5 p)
Luton Town (3)Edgware
19:30 GMT
  • Kalamaras 90+4'
  • Shepherd 64'
Stadium: The Hive Stadium
Attendance: 545
Referee: Stuart Kyle
Penalties
  • McCarthy
  • Frimpong-Kwakye
29 October 2025 Merstham (8) 6–1Tonbridge Angels (6)Merstham
19:30 GMT
Stadium: Moatside
Attendance: 288
Referee: Gerry Heron
30 October 2025 Northampton Town (3) 9–0Easington Sports (9)Northampton
19:00 GMT
  • Evans 5' (pen.), 22', 55'
  • Findlay 28', 46'
  • Obiagwu 35'
  • Barnett 41'
  • Okunnu 45+1'
  • Murray 51'
Report Stadium: Sixfields Stadium
Attendance: 418
Referee: Mario Stetakovic
30 October 2025 Leyton Orient (3)2–3 Bromley (4) Leyton
19:00 GMT
  • Nzang 40'
  • Wellens 81' (pen.)
  • Cockerill 45'
  • Hobbs 47'
  • Cooley 55'
Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 511
Referee: Sam Wigington
30 October 2025 Doncaster Rovers (3) 4–2Radcliffe (6)Doncaster
19:00 GMT
  • Pinder 12'
  • Swales 35'
  • Cashmore 61'
  • Thompson 69'
  • Chamberlain 71'
  • Halford 90+4'
Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium
Attendance: 634
Referee: Ryan Coulson
30 October 2025 Needham Market (7) 4–0Erith Town (8)Needham Market
19:45 GMT
  • Gledhill 5'
  • Bobby 25', 61'
  • Wakeling 89'
Stadium: Bloomfields
Attendance: 217
Referee: Liam Botten
30 October 2025 Cambridge City (8)2–5 Dorking Wanderers (6) Sawston
19:45 GMT
  • Tomasso 12'
  • Pammenter 26'
  • McIntyre 18'
  • Moore 25', 78'
  • Rodriguez 85'
  • Straker 90+5'
Stadium: Sawston Community Stadium
Attendance: 248
Referee: Stuart Lathan
31 October 2025 Bradford City (3) 5–3Stockton Town (7)Bradford
19:00 GMT
  • Lunn 22'
  • Holt 25'
  • Goodall 45+1'
  • Parr 63'
  • Gomes 75'
Stadium: Valley Parade
Attendance: 690
Referee: Luke Watson
31 October 2025 Hertford Town (8)2–4 Gillingham (4) Hertford
19:00 GMT
  • Lynch 34'
  • Coletti 43'
  • Booth 23'
  • Sargent 45', 51'
  • Luxton 76'
Stadium: Hertingfordbury Park
Attendance: 340
Referee: Stuart Kyle
31 October 2025 Loughborough Students (8)1–6 Grimsby Town (4) Loughborough
19:00 GMT
  • Rahic 27'
  • Smith 16'
  • Booth 31'
  • Hawley 53'
  • Sharp 68'
Stadium: Loughborough University Stadium
Attendance: 139
Referee: Richard A. Morris
31 October 2025 Walton & Hersham (7) 4–3 (a.e.t.)Burgess Hill Town (7)Walton-on-Thames
19:45 GMT
  • Danso 70', 98'
  • Moffat 75'
  • Oliver 108'
  • 47'
  • 80'
  • 114'
Stadium: Elmbridge Sports Hub
Attendance: 200
Referee: Alfred Finch-Critchley
4 November 2025 Walsall (4) 2–0 (a.e.t.)AFC Dunstable (8)Bescot
19:00 GMT
  • Etheridge 114'
  • Teesdale 117'
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 295
Referee: James Hall
4 November 2025 Wycombe Wanderers (3) 3–1Bristol Rovers (4)High Wycombe
19:00 GMT
  • Stones 32', 70'
  • Hughes 80'
Stadium: Adams Park
Attendance: 298 (67 away fans)
Referee: Colman O'Meara
4 November 2025 Newport County (4)2–2 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)
Tiverton Town (7) Tiverton
19:30 GMT
  • Osbourne 6'
  • Pugh 77'
  • Collins 10', 72'
Stadium: Tiverton Town
Attendance: 200
Referee: Mark Hickson
4 November 2025 Hamble Club (9)0–6 Swindon Town (4) Hamble-le-Rice
19:45 GMT
  • Gray 12'
  • Mercer 28'
  • Owiti 46', 86', 89'
  • Sowe 72'
Stadium: The Abbey
Attendance: 198
Referee: James Kerten

Second Round

The 40 winners from the previous round will participate in this round. The lowest ranked team left in the competition is the 9th Tier club Aylestone Park. The draw was done on 31 October 2025.[6]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League[c] Championship[c] League One League Two Non-League Total
20 / 20
24 / 24
15 / 24
13 / 21
12 / 35
84 / 124
10 November 2025 Peterborough United (3) 6–0Boldmere St. Michaels (8)Peterborough
19:30 GMT
Stadium: London Road
Attendance: 309
Referee: Callum Timperley
10 November 2025 Stevenage (3) 2–1Merstham (8)Stevenage
19:30 GMT
  • Mustafa 51'
  • Brown 86' (pen.)
Report
Stadium: Broadhall Way
Attendance: 351
Referee: Mario Stetakovic
12 November 2025 Reading (3) 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)
Cheltenham Town (4)Reading
19:00 GMT
  • Fuller-Thompson 61'
  • Cliff 90+5'
  • McNamee 7'
  • Obieri 9'
Stadium: Madjeski Stadium
Attendance: 325
Referee: Jake Hillier
Penalties
  • Fuller-Thompson
  • Adjei
  • Daka
  • Jo. Ntege
  • Ju. Ntege
  • Obieri
  • Barber
  • McNamee
  • King
  • Bailey
17 November 2025 Barnsley (3)0–1 Mansfield Town (3) Barnsley
19:00 GMT
  • Grimes 50'
Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 370
Referee: Shemakay Own
Note: Match was originally going to be played 14 November 2025 but was postponed and moved 3 days later.
17 November 2025 Grimsby Town (4)1–2 Doncaster Rovers (3) Cleethorpes
19:00 GMT
  • Smith 2'
Report
  • Cashmore 38'
  • Pavan 77'
Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 312
Referee: Andrew Park
18 November 2025 Northampton Town (3)0–5 Port Vale (3) Northampton
19:00 GMT Report
  • Hunter 34'
  • Williams 40'
  • Scragg 64', 70'
  • Cook 67'
Stadium: Sixfields Stadium
Attendance: 486
Referee: Steven Goldup
18 November 2025 Blackpool (3) 4–1Aylestone Park (9)Blackpool
19:00 GMT
  • Butterworth 78', 82', 86'
  • Upton 90+6'
  • Haggerty 66'
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 307
Referee: Bilal Moosa
18 November 2025 Rotherham United (3)1–3 Fleetwood Town (4) Rotherham
19:00 GMT
  • Ramsell 2'
  • Cherry 48'
  • Junaid 65', 90+5'
Stadium: New York Stadium
Attendance: 302
Referee: Ashley Royston
18 November 2025 Plymouth Argyle (3) 3–0Milton Keynes Dons (4)Plymouth
19:00 GMT
  • Mackin 39'
  • Finn 47', 62'
Stadium: Home Park
Attendance: 422
Referee: Dan Frizzell
18 November 2025 Gillingham (4) 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
Forest Green Rovers (5)Gillingham
19:00 GMT
  • Luxton 15'
  • Booth 53'
  • Bifulco 3'
  • Glover 59'
Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 315
Referee: Simon Cutler
Penalties
  • Dayal
  • Carruthers
  • Sargent
  • Whitelock
  • Glover
  • Walsh
  • Hewlett
  • Campbell
18 November 2025 Barnet (4)0–3 Colchester United (4) Edgware
19:30 GMT
  • Emery 27'
  • Moore 37'
  • Makatta 60'
Stadium: The Hive Stadium
Attendance: 541
Referee: Gerry Heron
19 November 2025 Tranmere Rovers (4)0–2 Bolton Wanderers (3) Birkenhead
19:00 GMT
  • Coyne 6'
  • Nuttall 56'
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 297
Referee: Abid Hussain
Note: Match was originally going to be played 12 November 2025 but was postponed and moved 1 week later.
19 November 2025 Crewe Alexandra (4)0–1 FC Halifax Town (5) Crewe
19:00 GMT
  • Wiggin 23'
Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 300
Referee: Mark Reeves
19 November 2025 Bradford City (3) 4–1York City (5)York
19:00 GMT
  • Parr 30', 78', 90+4'
  • Holt 34'
  • Greening 45+1'
Stadium: York Community Stadium
Attendance: 901
Referee: James Gallagher
19 November 2025 Wycombe Wanderers (3)0–1 Bromley (4) High Wycombe
19:30 GMT Report
  • 50'
Stadium: Adams Park
Attendance: 272
20 November 2025 Needham Market (7)0–3 Southend United (5) Needham Market
19:45 GMT
  • Ward 41'
  • Dadson 58'
  • Blake 90+2'
Stadium: Bloomfields
Attendance: 336
Referee: James Black
21 November 2025 Wigan Athletic (3) 2–0Walsall (4)Wigan
18:00 GMT
  • Hughes 47'
  • Gelhardt 78'
Stadium: Brick Community Stadium
Attendance: 362
Referee: Adewunmi Soneye
21 November 2025 Oxford City (6) 2–0Walton & Hersham (7)Marston
19:00 GMT
  • Oliveira 35'
  • Green 81'
Stadium: Court Place Farm
Attendance: 208
Referee: Neal Templey
26 November 2025 Swindon Town (4) 2–1Dorking Wanderers (6)Swindon
19:45 GMT
  • Griffiths-Brown 32'
  • Gray 46'
  • Hebert 81'
Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 210
Referee: John Duffy
29 November 2025 Tiverton Town (7)0–4 Cambridge United (4) St. Ives
14:30 GMT
  • Murefu 14'
  • McDougald 77', 84'
  • Efobi 80'
Stadium: Westwood Road
Attendance: 100
Referee: Thomas Kennedy
Note: Match was originally going to be played 18 November 2025, but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, then postponed again due to a waterlogged pitch.

Third Round

44 teams from the EFL Championship and the Premier League join in this stage of the competition. The lowest ranked team left in the competition is Sixth Tier Oxford City. The draw was done on 14 November 2025.[7]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League Championship League One League Two Non-League Total
20 / 20
24 / 24
11 / 24
6 / 21
3 / 35
64 / 124
26 November 2025 Preston North End (2)1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
West Ham United (1) Preston
19:00 GMT
  • Reid 71'
Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 473
Referee: Mark Reeves
Penalties
  • Golambeckis
  • Dike
  • Brooks
  • Jonyla
  • Balogun
  • Kerr
  • Morris-Agyemang
3 December 2025 Bolton Wanderers (3) 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)
Leicester City (2)Horwich
19:00 GMT
  • Lewis 55'
  • Ritchie 98'
  • Hutchinson 44'
  • De Lisle 111'
Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium
Attendance: 161
Referee: James Atkinson
Penalties
  • Ritchie
  • Hopkinson
  • O'Neill
  • Clement
  • Mawditt
  • Adedeji
  • Hutchinson
  • Daniels
  • Fletcher
  • De Lisle
3 December 2025 Wrexham (2) 5–1Port Vale (3)Wrexham
19:00 GMT
  • Chesworth 8', 50'
  • Jones 56'
  • Graham 85'
  • Nolan 90+5'
Report
  • Lake 59'
Stadium: Racecourse Ground
Attendance: 633
Referee: Richard Abson
3 December 2025 Reading (3) 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(7–6 p)
Middlesbrough (2)Reading
19:00 GMT
  • Fuller-Thompson 54'
  • Booth 95'
Stadium: Madjeski Stadium
Attendance: 279
Referee: Derrick Laing
Penalties
  • Fuller-Thompson
  • Hunte
  • Lonmeni-Dekam
  • Booth
  • Zie
  • Irish
  • Heywood
  • Martin-Grant
4 December 2025 Burnley (1) 2–0Wolverhampton Wanderers (1)Padiham
19:00 GMT
  • McMahon-Brown 34'
  • Morison 45+2'
Stadium: Burnley Training Centre
Attendance: 150
Referee: Ryan Aldred
5 December 2025 Crystal Palace (1) 3–0Bradford City (3)Selhurst
18:00 GMT
Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 400
Referee: Harry Yellen
5 December 2025 Millwall (2)2–3 Everton (1) Bermondsey
19:00 GMT
  • Thomas-Smith 10', 76'
Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 515
Referee: Michael Butcher
5 December 2025 Manchester City (1) 3–1Fulham (1)Manchester
19:00 GMT
  • Dunbar-McDonald 80'
  • McAidoo 87'
  • Lamb 90'
  • Taylor 40'
Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: 500
Referee: Adam Watson
9 December 2025 Manchester United (1) 1–0Peterborough United (3)Manchester
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 1,378
Referee: Jamie Roberts
9 December 2025 Norwich City (2) 2–1Stoke City (2)Norwich
19:00 GMT
  • Fearn 34'
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 462
Referee: Nathan Oakes
10 December 2025 FC Halifax Town (5)0–1 Colchester United (4) Brighouse
19:00 GMT
Stadium: St Giles Road
Attendance: 243
Referee: Joe Cunningham
10 December 2025 Sunderland (1) 3–0Nottingham Forest (1)Hetton-le-Hole
19:00 GMT
  • Geragusian 31'
  • Neill 42'
  • Dinsdale 84'
Stadium: Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground
Attendance: 192
Referee: Jamie Cann
10 December 2025 Queens Park Rangers (2) 5–1Oxford City (6)Shepherd's Bush
19:00 GMT
  • Oliveira 44'
Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 447
Referee: Teddy Osborn
10 December 2025 Cambridge United (4)0–3 Derby County (2) Cambridge
19:30 GMT
  • Green 9', 15'
  • Ward 64'
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 508
11 December 2025 Hull City (2)2–3 Swansea City (2) Kingston upon Hull
13:00 GMT
  • Ocaya 32'
  • Akinniranye 90+1'
  • Gray 14'
  • Ifans 51'
  • Popham 90+7'
Stadium: MKM Stadium
Attendance: 104
Referee: Conor Ledgeway
11 December 2025 Fleetwood Town (4) 2–0Blackpool (3)Fleetwood
19:00 GMT
  • Junaid 11'
  • Cherry 27'
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 589
Referee: Dale Wilson
11 December 2025 Bristol City (2)0–1 Leeds United (1) Failand
19:00 GMT
  • Njinko 76'
Stadium: Robins High Performance Centre
Attendance: 200
Referee: Craig Scriven
11 December 2025 Sheffield United (2)1–3 Ipswich Town (2) Sheffield
19:00 GMT
  • Morrison 89'
  • Unadike 22'
  • Barrett-Underwood 45' (o.g.)
  • Wood 52'
Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 710
Referee: Robert Pealing
12 December 2025 Blackburn Rovers (2) 2–1Southampton (2)Chorley
19:00 GMT
  • Joseph 36'
  • Higgins 90+6'
  • Gathercole 45+4'
Stadium: Victory Park
Attendance: 150
Referee: Adam Boubrahmi
12 December 2025 Bromley (4) 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
Sheffield Wednesday (2)Bromley
19:00 GMT
  • Akpobi 14'
Stadium: Hayes Lane
Attendance: 434
Referee: Thomas Berry
Penalties
13 December 2025 Liverpool (1)2–3 Charlton Athletic (2) Kirkby
15:00 GMT
  • Lambie 53'
  • Inglethorpe 87'
  • Belton 18'
  • McMillan 37'
  • Tagoe 50'
Stadium: Liverpool FC Academy
Attendance: 98
Referee: Daniel Hitchell
15 December 2025 Mansfield Town (3)1–4 Arsenal (1) Mansfield
19:00 GMT
  • Oldershaw 67'
Stadium: Field Mill
Attendance: 1,640
Referee: Thomas Hales
15 December 2025 Coventry City (2) 4–1Birmingham City (2)Coventry
19:00 GMT
  • Wright 17'
  • Russon 51'
  • Stidder 70'
  • Lincoln 90+7'
  • Rea 21'
Stadium: Coventry Building Society Arena
Attendance: 914
Referee: Thomas Durno
15 December 2025 Watford (2) 1–0Plymouth Argyle (3)Kings Langley
19:00 GMT
  • Norville 40'
Stadium: Gaywood Park
Attendance: 241
Referee: Manny Chandwani
15 December 2025 Doncaster Rovers (3)1–4 Aston Villa (1) Doncaster
19:00 GMT
  • Musgrave-Dore 7'
  • Burrowes 10', 42'
  • Jenner 12'
  • McGrath 38'
Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium
Attendance: 517
Referee: Waqar Ahmad
16 December 2025 Newcastle United (1) 5–2Portsmouth (2)Newcastle upon Tyne
18:00 GMT
  • Mills 1', 9'
  • Ferreira 41', 51', 73'
Stadium: Whitley Park
Attendance: 293
Referee: Alex Clark
16 December 2025 Tottenham Hotspur (1)2–5 Brighton & Hove Albion (1) Stevenage
19:00 GMT
Report
  • Howell 14', 87' (pen.)
  • Brett 36', 42'
  • Cullinane 90+8'
Stadium: Broadhall Way
Attendance: 533
Referee: Christopher Poole
16 December 2025 Brentford (1)1–2 Chelsea (1) Staines-upon-Thames
19:00 GMT
  • Redknapp 90+3'
Stadium: Wheatsheaf Park
Attendance: 800
Referee: Marcus Tingey
17 December 2025 Oxford United (2) 2–0Wigan Athletic (3)Littlemore
18:00 GMT
  • Lee 11'
  • Missanga 57'
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 674
Referee: Isaac Blakey
17 December 2025 West Bromwich Albion (2) 4–3Bournemouth (1)West Bromwich
19:00 GMT
  • Colesby 8'
  • Okorodudu 20'
  • French 45'
  • Letlat 54'
  • Spence 59'
  • Nyarko 71'
  • Waite 81'
Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 339
Referee: Jamie Conde
17 December 2025 Gillingham (4)0–2 Stevenage (3) Gillingham
19:00 GMT
  • Brown 9'
  • Ayolie 40'
Stadium: Priestfield
Attendance: 303
Referee: Peter Conn
17 December 2025 Southend United (5) 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(2–0 p)
Swindon Town (4)Southend-on-Sea
19:45 GMT
  • Zlatev 55'
  • Foye 8'
Stadium: Roots Hall
Attendance: 733
Penalties
  • Zlatev
  • Humphrey
  • Blake
  • Onuh
  • Griffiths-Brown
  • Owiti
  • Dorland
  • Gray

Fourth Round

The 32 winners from the previous round will compete in this round.The lowest ranked team left in the competition is 5th tier National League Side Southend United. The Draw was done on 5 December 2025.[8]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League Championship League One League Two Non-League Total
13 / 20
12 / 24
3 / 24
3 / 21
1 / 35
32 / 124
8 January 2026 Watford (2)1–3 Charlton Athletic (2) Watford
19:00 GMT
  • Smith-Daley 47'
  • McMillan 70'
  • Richman 88'
  • Washington-Amoah 90+7'
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 403
Referee: Matthew Norton
14 January 2026 Bolton Wanderers (3)1–3 Stevenage (3) Horwich
19:00 GMT
  • Ritchie 55'
  • Brown 36'
  • England 72'
  • Mustafa 73'
Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium
Attendance: 187
Referee: Scott Simpson
14 January 2026 Reading (3)2–3 Chelsea Reading
19:00 GMT
  • Saint-Louis 31'
  • Booth 74'
Stadium: Madjeski Stadium
Attendance: 594
Referee: Gary Parsons
15 January 2026 Bromley (4)1–2 Ipswich Town (2) Bromley
19:00 GMT
  • Anunlopo 25'
  • Unadike 13'
  • Eze 63'
Stadium: Hayes Lane
Attendance: 802
Referee: Steven Hughes
16 January 2026 Manchester City 5–2ArsenalManchester
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: 677
Referee: Joe Moss
16 January 2026 Everton 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(3–0 p)
West Ham UnitedWalton
19:00 GMT
  • Beckford 30'
  • Dike 69'
Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 500
Referee: Jack Churchill
Penalties
  • Dike
  • Unwin
  • Beckford
19 January 2026 Leeds United1–2 (a.e.t.) Swansea City (2) York
19:00 GMT
  • Njinko 64'
  • Jones 8'
  • Clarke 120'
Stadium: York Community Stadium
Attendance: 403
Referee: David Jones
19 January 2026 Norwich City (2)1–5 Burnley Norwich
19:00 GMT
  • Corke 69'
  • McMahon-Brown 35' (pen.), 50', 55', 80'
  • Derbyshire 88'
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 659
Referee: Ayrton Hursey
20 January 2026 Fleetwood Town (4)2–3 Aston Villa Fleetwood
19:00 GMT
  • Slater 43'
  • Stansfield 90+2'
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 356
Referee: Callum Jones
21 January 2026 Coventry City (2)1–8 Blackburn Rovers (2) Coventry
19:00 GMT
  • Nidjebu 2'
  • Ball 5' (pen.)
  • Joseph 7', 19', 24', 58'
  • Tyjon 43'
  • Pates 49'
  • Decandia 69'
Stadium: CBS Arena
Attendance: 492
Referee: George Warren
22 January 2026 Oxford United (2) 2–1Colchester United (4)Littlemore
18:00 GMT
  • 47' (o.g.)
  • Lee 79'
  • Do Vale 14'
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 534
Referee: Neil Pratt
22 January 2026 Newcastle United0–4 Crystal Palace Newcastle upon Tyne
19:00 GMT
  • Angibeaud 29', 75'
  • Casey 65', 80'
Stadium: Whitley Park
Attendance: 243
Referee: Liam Smith
22 January 2026 Southend United (5)1–3 Wrexham (2) Southend-on-Sea
19:45 GMT
  • Jones 19'
  • Murphy 58'
  • Chesworth 79'
Stadium: Roots Hall
Attendance: 1,078
Referee: Jack Willmore
23 January 2026 Manchester United 2–1 (a.e.t.)Derby County (2)Greater Manchester
19:00 GMT
  • Nessling 113'
Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 2,223
Referee: Kavan Hurn
27 January 2026 Queens Park Rangers (2)0–2 Brighton & Hove Albion Hounslow
19:00 GMT
  • Kasvosve 2'
  • Silsby 18'
Stadium: Elite Training Centre
Attendance: 241
Referee: Adam Merchant
29 January 2026 Sunderland 3–3 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)
West Bromwich Albion (2)Hetton-le-Hole
19:00 GMT
  • Geragusian 7'
  • Barker 25'
  • Wilson 100'
  • Parmar 89' (pen.), 107' (pen.)
  • Seven-Seven 90+8'
Stadium: Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground
Attendance: 181
Referee: Scott Henry
Penalties
  • Hester
  • Struk
  • Bowman
  • Campbell
  • Wilson
  • Parmar
  • Colesby
  • Maughan
  • Seven-Seven
  • McNeil

Fifth Round

The 16 winners from the last round will compete in this round.The lowest level team left in the competition is EFL League One Stevenage. The Draw was done on 16 January 2026.[9]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League Championship League One League Two Non-League Total
9 / 20
6 / 24
1 / 24
0 / 21
0 / 35
16 / 124
5 February 2026 Stevenage (3)1–2 Crystal Palace Stevenage
19:00 GMT
  • Brown 36'
  • Oduro 19'
  • Thornett 21' (o.g.)
Stadium: Broadhall Way
Attendance: 777
Referee: Craig Barnet
9 February 2026 Chelsea1–4 Manchester City Norbiton
19:00 GMT
  • Samba 46'
  • Headley 63'
  • Parker 66'
  • McAidoo 81'
Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 1,068
Referee: Dan Blades
11 February 2026 Swansea City (2)0–2 Blackburn Rovers (2) Landore
19:00 GMT
  • Joseph 44', 70'
Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium
Attendance: 658
Referee: Jonathan Bolland
12 February 2026 Everton 4–2 (a.e.t.)Ipswich Town (2)Vauxhall
19:00 GMT
  • Pita 4'
  • Graham 90+6'
  • Robert 106'
  • Brouwers 117' (o.g.)
  • Compton 7'
  • Eldred 34'
Stadium: Hill Dickinson Stadium
Attendance: 667
Referee: Jonathan Maskrey
18 February 2026 Oxford United (2)1–4 Manchester United Littlemore
18:00 GMT
  • Holton 60'
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 3,565
Referee: Callum Fisk
20 February 2026 Burnley 2–0Charlton Athletic (2)Leyland
19:00 GMT
  • King 5'
  • Lewis 73'
Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 153
Referee: Samuel Bragg
24 February 2026 Sunderland 4–1Brighton & Hove AlbionSunderland
19:00 GMT
  • Proctor 10'
  • Neill 22'
  • Garagusian 25', 87'
  • Brett 71'
Stadium: Stadium of Light
Referee: Liam Smith
24 February 2026 Aston Villa 1–0Wrexham (2)Hednesford
19:00 GMT Stadium: Keys Park
Attendance: 892
Referee: Scott Simpson

Quarterfinals

The 8 winners from the last round will compete in this round. The lowest ranked team left in the competition was the EFL Championship Blackburn Rovers. The draw was done on 13 February 2026.[10]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League Championship League One League Two Non-League Total
7 / 20
1 / 24
0 / 24
0 / 21
0 / 35
8 / 124
10 March 2026 Aston Villa2–3 Crystal Palace Aston
18:00 GMT
  • McGrath 3', 57'
  • Casey 29'
  • Anderson 86'
  • Okoli 90+2'
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 565
Referee: Scott Jackson
10 March 2026 Blackburn Rovers (2) 2–1BurnleyBlackburn
19:00 GMT
  • Joseph 46'
  • Sergeant 90+3'
  • So 32'
Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 1,816
Referee: Jamie O'Connor
13 March 2026 Manchester City 3–0EvertonManchester
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: 1,148
Referee: Richie Watkins
18 March 2026 Manchester United 3–2SunderlandGreater Manchester
19:00 GMT
  • Ajayi 43'
  • Obi 70'
  • Brown 77'
  • Proctor 59'
  • Scott 62'
Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 2,516
Referee: Oliver Mackey

Semifinals

The lowest ranked team left in the competition was the EFL Championship Blackburn Rovers. The draw was done on 13 March 2026.

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League Championship League One League Two Non-League Total
3 / 20
1 / 24
0 / 24
0 / 21
0 / 35
4 / 124

Final

Notes

  1. ^ a b National League will join the competition in the Second Qualifying Round.
  2. ^ National League North and National League South will join the competition in the First Qualifying Round.
  3. ^ a b c d Premier League and Championship teams will join the competition in the third round.

References

  1. ^ a b "EARLY ROUND DRAWS RELEASED FOR EMIRATES FA CUP, YOUTH CUP, ISUZU FA TROPHY AND VASE". The FA.
  2. ^ "THE FA YOUTH CUP SECOND ROUND QUALIFYING DRAW HAS BEEN MADE FOLLOWING EARLY TIES". The FA.
  3. ^ "THE DRAW FOR THE FA YOUTH CUP THIRD ROUND QUALIFYING HAS BEEN MADE". The FA.
  4. ^ "UPDATE: Closure of Academy". Accrington Stanley. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  5. ^ "THE DRAW FOR THE FA YOUTH CUP FIRST ROUND PROPER FOR 2025-26 HAS BEEN MADE". The FA.
  6. ^ "THE DRAW FOR THE FA YOUTH CUP SECOND ROUND PROPER HAS BEEN MADE". The FA.
  7. ^ "PREMIER LEAGUE AND EFL CHAMPIONSHIP CLUBS JOIN THE FA YOUTH CUP IN THE THIRD ROUND". The FA.
  8. ^ "THE DRAW FOR THE FA YOUTH CUP FOURTH ROUND PROPER HAS BEEN MADE". The FA.
  9. ^ "THE DRAW FOR THE FA YOUTH CUP FIFTH ROUND PROPER HAS BEEN MADE". The FA.
  10. ^ "THE FA YOUTH CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON HAS BEEN MADE". The FA.