Liverpool v Tottenham and Man Utd v Brighton in EFL Cup third-round draw

The EFL Cup third-round draw on 26 August 2026 produced a Liverpool v Tottenham tie and a Manchester United v Brighton fixture, with matches set for the weeks beginning Monday, 7 and Monday, 14 September. Fleetwood, the only fourth-tier side remaining, will host Sheffield United.

Nine Premier League clubs playing in European competition enter the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Sunderland. Those clubs join the tournament at this point, and organisers scheduled ties across the weeks commencing Monday, 7 and Monday, 14 September to avoid clashes with the opening rounds of the Champions League and Europa League.

Liverpool will take on Tottenham in the third round. Leeds could potentially face Chelsea should the London club beat Luton on Thursday. The Chelsea v Luton tie is scheduled for 19:30 BST on Thursday.

Manchester United will play Premier League opposition in Brighton. Holders Manchester City have been drawn to host Norwich. Both Manchester sides are among the teams entering the competition at this stage.

Fleetwood, the only fourth-tier side left in the competition, will host Sheffield United. West Ham have been drawn to face either Fulham or AFC Wimbledon. The Fulham v AFC Wimbledon tie is scheduled for 20:00 BST on Thursday.

The two remaining third-round places will be decided on Thursday when Chelsea host Luton (19:30 BST) and Fulham take on AFC Wimbledon (20:00 BST). Winners of those fixtures will complete the third-round line-up for the matches scheduled across the two September weeks.