West Ham United's Carabao Cup campaign begins at the second round stage later this month, and we will discover who our first opponents will be in Wednesday's draw. Here's everything you need to know...
What's the story so far?
As one of eleven Premier League sides not competing in European competition during 2025/26, we will enter the Carabao Cup at the second round stage alongside the 35 EFL clubs who will have progressed through the first round, which features a regionalised split into a northern and southern section.
Tuesday’s ties saw a handful of upsets, as EFL Championship sides Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth suffered exits to lower-league opposition. Arguably the biggest shock came in south-east London, as League Two outfit Bromley overcame recently-relegated Ipswich Town on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
When is the Carabao Cup second round draw?
The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup takes place on Wednesday 13 August, in the build-up to Birmingham City's round one tie with Sheffield United, live on Sky Sports Football. The draw is scheduled to be conducted at approximately 7.20pm BST.
In total, there are five first round matches being contested on Wednesday evening.
Who could we face?
England's nine European representatives - Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Carabao Cup holders Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur - are the only clubs yet to be involved in the competition by this stage, and they will enter in the third round.
The second round is also split into northern and southern halves, so we will feature in the southern section, alongside top-flight rivals such as Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
EFL League Two clubs Bromley and Cambridge United are among the lowest ranked sides already through, while they could be joined by fellow fourth tier team Cheltenham Town, who face Exeter City on Wednesday night.
What ball number are we?
West Ham United are ball number 19 in the southern section of Wednesday's draw.
Do you have a full list of draw numbers?
The teams in the southern section of the draw will have these numbers:
- AFC Bournemouth
- AFC Wimbledon
- Brentford
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Bristol City
- Bromley
- Cambridge United
- Cardiff City
- Charlton Athletic
- Coventry City
- Fulham
- Millwall
- Norwich City
- Oxford United
- Plymouth Argyle
- Reading
- Southampton
- Swansea City
- West Ham United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Wycombe Wanderers
- Cheltenham Town or Exeter City
When will the second round ties be played?
The games will be played in the week commencing Monday 25 August. A confirmed date and kick-off time will be communicated in due course.
