logo

Carabao Cup Quarterfinal Draw: Dates, Ball Numbers, and Remaining Teams for 2026/27 EFL Knockout Stage

The 2026/27 Carabao Cup continues to advance, narrowing the competition from 16 clubs in the fourth round down to eight teams set for the quarterfinals. These clubs will then compete for a place in the two-legged semifinals later this season.

Manchester City, the current holders of the trophy and winners of five of the last nine titles, remain contenders. Last year’s Premier League champions, Arsenal, were aiming for their first League Cup win since 1993 but were surprisingly knocked out in the fourth round by League Two side Fleetwood Town, who sit 84 places below them in the English football hierarchy.

When Will the Quarterfinal Draw Happen?

The draw to decide the quarterfinal matchups is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, right after the late kickoff between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield. This game starts at 8 p.m. local time (4 p.m. ET), with the draw expected shortly after, around 10:15 p.m. local time (6:15 p.m. ET).

Ball Numbers for the Quarterfinal Draw

The ball numbers used for the quarterfinal draw will be announced on the morning of October 28. The confirmed or potential teams advancing to this stage include:

  • Bradford City (League One)
  • Fleetwood Town (League Two)
  • Manchester City (Premier League) or Brighton (Premier League)
  • Bournemouth (Premier League) or Aston Villa (Premier League)
  • Fulham (Premier League) or Crystal Palace (Premier League)
  • Sunderland (Premier League) or Brentford (Premier League)
  • Liverpool (Premier League) or Chelsea (Premier League)
  • Everton (Premier League) or Newcastle (Premier League)

Schedule for Upcoming Rounds

There is a notable gap between the fourth-round matches and the quarterfinal fixtures, which are set for the week beginning December 14, 2026. The remainder of the tournament is planned as follows, though dates may shift based on fixture arrangements:

  • Quarterfinal Draw: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
  • Quarterfinal Matches: Week of December 14, 2026
  • Semifinal Draw (Provisional): Wednesday, December 16, 2026
  • Semifinal Legs: Weeks of January 11 and February 1, 2027
  • Final: March 21, 2027

The semifinals will be contested over two legs, adding an extra layer of challenge before the final showdown in March.

Related Articles