The First Round draw of the 2025/26 FA Youth Cup will take place this weekend, with 124 clubs entering the competition at this stage.

A total of 553 teams have been eligible for this season’s tournament, including 45 sides from the EFL and a wide selection of clubs who have progressed through the qualifying rounds.

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Accrington, Barrow and Crawley Absent

There are usually 48 EFL teams entering at this point, but Accrington Stanley have withdrawn following the closure of their academy. Barrow and Crawley Town have also not entered this season’s competition.

That leaves 124 teams set to discover their First Round opponents in the draw this weekend.

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Non-League Clubs Progress to First Round

A number of non-league academies have impressed in the qualifying stages and will now feature in the draw. Among them are:

Radcliffe, Mangotsfield United, Hertford Town, Walton & Hersham, Tonbridge Angels, Kidderminster Harriers, Boldmere St. Michaels, AFC Telford United, Burgess Hill Town, Slough Town, Erith Town, Tiverton Town, Oxford City, Carlisle United, Merstham, Forest Green Rovers, Chippenham Town, FC Halifax Town, Easington Sports, Hamble Club, and Bracknell Town.

Among these, Easington Sports, Hamble Club, and Mangotsfield United represent the lowest-ranked sides in the competition — all competing from tier nine of the English football pyramid.

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Remaining Qualifying Fixtures

Several ties remain outstanding before the draw is made, with matches continuing on Thursday 16 October and Friday 17 October:

Thursday, 16 October

• York City vs Boro Rangers
• Chester vs Liversedge
• Royston Town vs Loughborough Students
• Aylestone Park vs Bedford Town
• Bishop’s Stortford vs Haverhill Rovers
• Needham Market vs Billericay Town
• Cambridge City vs Colney Heath
• AFC Sudbury vs Southend United

Friday, 17 October

• Macclesfield vs Hartlepool United
• Marine vs Stockport Town
• Stockton Town vs North Ferriby
• Eastbourne Borough vs Northwood
• Wingate & Finchley vs Dorking Wanderers
• AFC Rushden & Diamonds vs Wellingborough Town

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What Happens Next

Winners from these ties will join EFL clubs in the First Round proper, with fixtures expected to be played in early November.

The FA Youth Cup remains the most prestigious competition in English youth football, offering a vital platform for academy players to shine — with past winners including the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool.