Premier League Giants Man Utd, Everton, and West Ham Set to Clash with Wrexham in Carabao Cup Second Round
While the upcoming Premier League campaign has yet to kick off, Manchester United along with 10 other top-tier clubs not participating in European tournaments have discovered their opponents for the second stage of the 2025–26 Carabao Cup.
United, who have claimed the silverware six times—last achieving victory in 2022–23, haven't participated in the League Cup at such an initial phase for over a decade. Their previous early entry resulted in disaster, as an MK Dons squad featuring a youthful Dele Alli demolished them 4–0 during Louis van Gaal's tenure.
This campaign presents another underdog versus favorite matchup where they assume the favorite's position, drawn against League Two outfit Grimsby Town.
Teams such as Everton, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United have also joined the tournament, alongside 35 victors from the opening round matches contested this week—featuring Wrexham, Southampton, Bromley, Reading and Stockport County from throughout the EFL structure.
Similar to the opening round format, the draw was split into regional divisions, with the initial 11 matchups selected from southern teams and the following 12 from northern clubs. In total, 46 squads will compete at this level, though only 23 will progress to round three.
2025–26 Carabao Cup Second Round Draw in Full
Fixture |
|---|
Fulham vs. Bristol City |
Norwich City vs. Southampton |
Oxford United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion |
Reading vs. AFC Wimbledon |
Bournemouth vs. Brentford |
Millwall vs. Coventry City |
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. West Ham United |
Swansea City vs. Plymouth Argyle |
Bromley vs. Wycombe Wanderers |
Cardiff City vs. Cheltenham Town/Exeter City |
Cambridge United vs. Charlton Athletic |
Tranmere Rovers/Burton Albion vs. Lincoln City |
Accrington Stanley vs. Doncaster Rovers |
Wigan Athletic vs. Stockport County |
Stoke City vs. Bradford City |
Burnley vs. Derby County |
Sunderland vs. Huddersfield Town/Leicester City |
Birmingham City/Sheffield United vs. Port Vale |
Preston North End vs. Wrexham |
Barnsley/Fleetwood Town vs. Rotherham United |
Bolton Wanderers/Sheffield Wednesday vs. Leeds United |
Everton vs. Mansfield Town |
Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United |
When are Carabao Cup Second Round Ties Played?
The second stage matches of the Carabao Cup are set for the week beginning August 25. Following the completion of these games, the remaining nine Premier League teams will enter the tournament for the third round—featuring Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
The championship match will occur at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 22, 2026.