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FA Cup 2026–27: First Round Proper Picks

FA Cup: First Round Overview

The FA Cup 2026–27 First Round Proper takes place from 6 to 9 November. Forty ties bring League One and League Two clubs into the competition. They meet clubs that progressed through the qualifying rounds. This stage creates several interesting differences in league level and current form. Some fixtures also feature teams performing strongly in their respective divisions. This article selects eight key matches using league position and competitive strength. Four of those FA Cup fixtures receive detailed previews and match picks.

FA Cup First Round Proper: Event Details

EventDetails
Main EventFA Cup 2026–27
ScheduleFirst Round
Total Matches40
Dates6–9 November 2026
VenueMultiple grounds across England
Featured BroadcastOxford City vs Leicester City; additional televised selections are listed by the FA Cup.

FA Cup: First Round Proper Key Match Schedule

Date & DayFixture (Home vs Away)ETPTISTVenue
6 November 2026, FridayOxford City vs Leicester City2:45 PM11:45 AM1:15 AM (Next day)The MGroup Stadium
7 November 2026, SaturdayHuddersfield Town vs Exeter City10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
Accu Stadium
7 November 2026, SaturdayLuton Town vs Forest Green Rovers10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PMKenilworth Road
7 November 2026, SaturdayBoreham Wood vs Wigan Athletic10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PMMeadow Park
7 November 2026, SaturdayBarnet vs Tranmere Rovers10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PMThe Hive Stadium
7 November 2026, SaturdayCarlisle United vs Salford City10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PMBrunton Park
7 November 2026, SaturdayBradford City vs Marine10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PMValley Parade
7 November 2026, SaturdayHarrogate Town vs AFC Fylde10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PMExercise Stadium

Why these FA Cup matches?

  • Oxford City vs Leicester City: Leicester adds more star power in this fixture. Oxford City will have the edge of playing at home and live television coverage.
  • Huddersfield Town vs Exeter City: Huddersfield sit atop the League One table. They will take on Exeter, who play in the very same division.
  • Luton Town vs Forest Green Rovers: Luton have been soaring in League One. Forest Green provide opposition from the second division, League Two.
  • Boreham Wood vs Wigan Athletic: Non-league Boreham Wood are having a great season. They host Wigan, who play two divisions higher.
  • Barnet vs Tranmere Rovers: Barnet are fighting for promotion from the National League. Tranmere are a solid League Two side.
  • Carlisle United vs Salford City: This is a fierce, all-League Two battle. Both teams want a deep cup run this year.
  • Bradford City vs Marine: Bradford are fighting near the top of League One. Marine are the ultimate non-league underdogs here.
  • Harrogate Town vs AFC Fylde: League Two Harrogate host National League Fylde. This creates a highly competitive local cup tie.

FA Cup 2026–27: First Round Proper Full Schedule

No.DateFixtureGMTESTPSTIST
16 November 2026, FridayBristol Rovers vs Cambridge United7:30 PM2:30 PM11:30 AM1:00 AM (Next day)
26 November 2026, FridayOxford City vs Leicester City7:45 PM2:45 PM11:45 AM1:15 AM (Next day)
37 November 2026, SaturdayDover Athletic vs Wealdstone3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
47 November 2026, SaturdayMansfield Town vs Macclesfield3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
57 November 2026, SaturdayHuddersfield Town vs Exeter City3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
67 November 2026, SaturdayLuton Town vs Forest Green Rovers3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
77 November 2026, SaturdayKidderminster Harriers vs Doncaster Rovers3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
87 November 2026, SaturdayLeyton Orient vs Harborough Town3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
97 November 2026, SaturdayAccrington Stanley vs Wycombe Wanderers3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
107 November 2026, SaturdayMK Dons vs Swindon Town3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
117 November 2026, SaturdayNewport County vs Walsall3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
127 November 2026, SaturdayBromley vs Rotherham United3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
137 November 2026, SaturdayBarnet vs Tranmere Rovers3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
147 November 2026, SaturdayFleetwood Town vs Rochdale3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
157 November 2026, SaturdayBarnsley vs Aldershot Town3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
167 November 2026, SaturdayChesterfield vs Yeovil Town3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
177 November 2026, SaturdayGillingham vs Barrow3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
187 November 2026, SaturdayHarrogate Town vs AFC Fylde3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
197 November 2026, SaturdayCrewe Alexandra vs AFC Wimbledon3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
207 November 2026, SaturdayOxford United vs Stevenage3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
217 November 2026, SaturdayBurton Albion vs AFC Rushden & Diamonds3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
227 November 2026, SaturdayPort Vale vs Scunthorpe United3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
237 November 2026, SaturdayCheltenham Town vs FC Halifax Town3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
247 November 2026, SaturdayColchester United vs Worcester City3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
257 November 2026, SaturdayEastleigh vs Shrewsbury Town3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
267 November 2026, SaturdayPlymouth Argyle vs Alvechurch3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
277 November 2026, SaturdayHornchurch vs Blackpool3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
287 November 2026, SaturdayGuiseley vs Sutton United3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
297 November 2026, SaturdayBradford City vs Marine3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
307 November 2026, SaturdayYork City vs Northampton Town3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
317 November 2026, SaturdayBoreham Wood vs Wigan Athletic3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
327 November 2026, SaturdayCarlisle United vs Salford City3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
337 November 2026, SaturdaySalisbury vs Sholing3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
347 November 2026, SaturdayAltrincham vs Notts County5:30 PM12:30 PM9:30 AM11:00 PM
357 November 2026, SaturdayPeterborough United vs Reading8:00 PM3:00 PM12:00 PM1:30 AM (Next day)
368 November 2026, SundayStafford Rangers vs Grimsby Town12:00 PM7:00 AM4:00 AM5:30 PM
378 November 2026, SundayCray Wanderers vs Stockport County2:15 PM9:15 AM6:15 AM7:45 PM
388 November 2026, SundayWimborne Town vs Crawley Town3:00 PM10:00 AM7:00 AM8:30 PM
398 November 2026, SundayOldham Athletic vs Sheffield Wednesday5:15 PM12:15 PM9:15 AM10:45 PM
409 November 2026, MondayPlymouth Parkway vs Berkhamsted7:30 PM2:30 PM11:30 AM1:00 AM (Next day)

FA Cup 2026–27: First Round Proper Key Match Analysis

Match 1: Huddersfield Town vs Exeter City

EventDetails
FixtureHuddersfield Town vs Exeter City
Date7 November 2026 (Saturday)
Time10:00 AM ET | 7:00 AM PT | 8:30 PM IST
VenueAccu Stadium, Huddersfield
BroadcastTNT Sports, BBC Sport, ESPN+, Sony LIV

FA Cup Squad Information

Huddersfield Town
PositionPlayers
GoalkeepersMatty Young, Jak Alnwick, Nik Tzanev
DefendersLasse Sørensen, Murray Wallace, Joe Low, Jack Whatmough, Lynden Gooch, Radinio Balker, Ibane Bowat, Bali Mumba, Ilias Bronkhorst, Seán Roughan, Michal Helik, Brodie Spencer, Tom Lees, Jaheim Headley, Josh Ruffels
MidfieldersRyan Ledson, Archie Collins, Ethan Brierley, Herbie Kane, Marcus McGuane, David Kasumu, Cameron Humphreys, Antony Evans, Ben Wiles, Jonathan Hogg, Matty Pearson, Danny Ward
ForwardsJoe Taylor, Marcus Harness, Ashley Fletcher, Bojan Radulović, George Sebine, Derensili Sanches Fernandes, Samson Tovide, Callum Marshall, Rhys Healey, Josh Koroma
Exeter City
PositionPlayers
GoalkeepersJoe Whitworth, Shaun MacDonald
DefendersJohnly Yfeko, Tristan Crama, Pierce Sweeney, Ilmari Niskanen, Jack McMillan, Ben Purrington, Ed Francis, Cheick Diabate
MidfieldersRyan Woods, Kami Doyle, Reece Cole, Caleb Watts, Jack Aitchison, Jake Richards, Mitch Beardmore
ForwardsMillenic Alli, Josh Magennis, Amani Richards, Sonny Cox, Demetri Mitchell, Yanic Wildschut

FA Cup: Recent Form and Comparison

The current leaders in the League One standings are Huddersfield Town, who have collected 29 points from their first 14 matches. Their record thus far stands at eight wins and five draws. Exeter City is also a team that plays in League One. It is presently placed 12th in the table, collecting 19 points in the process. As the two teams play in exactly the same league, there is no league differential between them.

Match Analysis

The current form of Huddersfield in the league has been superb. Their aim is to capitalize on this tremendous momentum in the cup competition. They enjoy great home advantage, with their game being played at the Accor Stadium. The third-division side, Exeter City, has a lot of experience, which will make the game hard for them. Huddersfield are expected to dominate possession and create more chances.

The Pick: Huddersfield Town

Match 2: Luton Town vs Forest Green Rovers

EventDetails
FixtureLuton Town vs Forest Green Rovers
Date7 November 2026 (Saturday)
Time10:00 AM ET | 7:00 AM PT | 8:30 PM IST
VenueKenilworth Road, Luton
BroadcastTNT Sports, BBC Sport, ESPN+, Sony LIV

FA Cup Squad Information

Luton Town
PositionPlayers
GoalkeepersThomas Kaminski, Tim Krul, James Shea, Josh Keeley
DefendersTeden Mengi, Mark McGuinness, Tom Holmes, Mads Andersen, Amari’i Bell, Reece Burke, Daiki Hashioka, Reuell Walters, Joe Johnson, Aidan Francis-Meyer
MidfieldersMarvelous Nakamba, Tahith Chong, Jordan Clark, Shandon Baptiste, Liam Walsh, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Tom Krauß, Zack Nelson, Kasey Palmer
ForwardsCarlton Morris, Elijah Adebayo, Jacob Brown, Cauley Woodrow, Joe Taylor, Tom Ince
Forest Green Rovers
PositionPlayers
GoalkeepersJed Ward, Jamie Searle, Fiachra Pagel
DefendersRyan Inniss, Jordan Moore-Taylor, Ben Tozer, Jamie Robson, Sean Long, Marcel Lavinier, Harry Bunker, Nathan Thompson
MidfieldersCharlie McCann, Emmanuel Osadebe, Teddy Jenks, Adam May, Kyle McAllister, Liam Sercombe, Tom Knowles, Harvey Bunker
ForwardsChristian Doidge, Tyrese Shade, Harry Cardwell, Amadou Bakayoko, Fankaty Dabo

FA Cup: Recent Form and Comparison

Luton Town lie in fourth place with 24 points from 14 matches in League One. Forest Green Rovers, on the other hand, play in the league immediately below Luton in League Two. It is easy for Luton to take advantage of their home ground and their higher rank than their opponents. Forest Green must stay fully disciplined to close the one-tier gap.

Match Analysis

Luton will aim to dictate the pace of this game right from the outset. Luton’s superior league position affords them an obvious tactical advantage. The only way Forest Green can keep their opponents at bay is to organize a compact defense. It is certain that Luton will be very strong favorites for this one. Luton are the strong favorites to secure the victory at Kenilworth Road.

The Pick: Luton Town

Match 3: Boreham Wood vs Wigan Athletic

EventDetails
FixtureBoreham Wood vs Wigan Athletic
Date7 November 2026 (Saturday)
Time10:00 AM ET | 7:00 AM PT | 8:30 PM IST
VenueMeadow Park, Borehamwood
BroadcastTNT Sports, BBC Sport, ESPN+, Sony LIV

FA Cup Squad Information

Boreham Wood
PositionPlayers
GoalkeepersLuca Gunter, Ted Curd
DefendersJames Clarke, Oliver Bainbridge, Chris Bush, Charlie O’Connell, Callum Reynolds, Tylor Golden, Ollie Kensdale, Will Wright
MidfieldersTom White, Lewis Richardson, Zak Brunt, Tarryn Allarakhia, Marley Marshall-Miranda, Regan Booty, Hayden Stapelberg, Ben Whitfield
ForwardsDanny Cashman, Conor Wilkinson, Farhaan Ali Wahid, Jay Bird, Matt Rush, Luke Norris
Wigan Athletic
PositionPlayers
GoalkeepersJoe Walsh, Tom Watson, Matteo Spinelli, Joe Whitworth
DefendersConnor Barrett, Morgan Fox, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Finley Burns, Llyton Chapman, Archie Harris, K’Marni Miller, Jon Mellish, James Carragher, Sam Bolland
MidfieldersJensen Weir, Fraser Murray, Max Power, Reggie Walsh, Luke Harris, Ryan Trevitt, Charlie Gray, Callum McManaman, Charley McKee, Harrison Rimmer, Hindolo Mustapha
ForwardsSonny Perkins, Dara Costelloe, Akeel Higgins, Chris Sze, Scott Hogan, Bradley Burrowes, Christian Saydee, Reece Greenhalgh, Adam Moseley

FA Cup: Recent Form and Comparison

Currently, Boreham Wood are the best team in the National League, having accumulated 44 points from 16 matches, winning 14 matches and drawing two. The Wigan team has been struggling in 21st place in League One, accumulating only 11 points from 14 matches. On the basis of current domestic form, the non-league hosts seem to be more motivated.

Match Analysis

Boreham Wood have shown themselves to be very impressive in their league season. Their record of winning all games gives them confidence for the cup match. Wigan have experience playing at a much higher level, but currently their league form is not very impressive. Wigan will need to get their defenses organized better. Boreham Wood can use home fans’ support and current strength to challenge them.

The Pick: Boreham Wood

FA Cup 2026-27: Conclusion

40 games are played in the FA Cup First Round Proper between 6 and 9 November. The teams will be entering the competition with decent league performances. The teams are Huddersfield, Luton, Boreham Wood, and Barnet. The four aforementioned teams are our main clashes. The lower-league sides create surprises and deliver memorable cup moments.

kevin

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kevin
November 6, 2026 2:23 PM

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