The English Football League (EFL) has confirmed a format change for the Carabao Cup, introducing a preliminary round for the 2025/2026 season due to nine Premier League teams participating in European competitions.
The introduction of this round aims to reduce the number of teams in the first and second rounds, accommodating teams that qualify for European competitions, including Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Tottenham, who will enter the Carabao Cup in the third round.
The preliminary round will feature four teams
Barnet, National League promotion winners, will face Newport County, one of the lowest finishers in League Two.
Oldham Athletic, also National League promotion winners, will play against Accrington Stanley, the other low-finishing League Two team.
The Carabao Cup first-round draw will take place on June 26 to determine the fixtures for the competition.
The preliminary round is scheduled for the week of August 4, with the first round following on August 11.