West Ham to face Portsmouth in Carabao Cup first round
West Ham United will host Portsmouth at the London Stadium in the Carabao Cup first round following today’s draw, marking the Hammers’ return to this stage of the competition for the first time in 15 years after their relegation from the top flight, reports BritPanorama.
The matchup revives memories of previous encounters when both teams regularly faced each other in the Premier League. Nuno Espirito Santo’s Portsmouth will welcome West Ham before the second-tier season kicks off, with the fixture set to take place between 7 and 9 August.
West Ham’s last participation in this round ended in disappointment, as they suffered a surprise defeat to Aldershot at Upton Park. The stakes remain high for the Hammers, keen to establish a foothold in the competition this time around.
Wolves and Burnley, who also dropped from the Premier League alongside West Ham, have drawn home fixtures in the opening round. Wolves will face League Two side Port Vale, while Burnley takes on newly promoted Notts County.
Elsewhere in the draw, Leicester City will host Northampton Town, while Southampton is due to play Colchester. Norwich City takes on MK Dons at Carrow Road, and Sheffield Wednesday, recently demoted to League One, will meet Bolton Wanderers at home.
The competition consists of northern and southern sections in the early rounds, with clubs engaged in UEFA competitions entering at the third round. Notably, Premier League clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool will join later due to their European commitments.
As the draw showcases several intriguing matchups, the upcoming first-round ties promise to set the tone for the 2026-27 domestic season, kicking off just before league campaigns commence.
This draw serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of cup competitions, where historic rivalries and potential upsets add an extra layer of excitement to the footballing calendar.
