FA Cup Third Round Draw Revealed
El-Balad has revealed the matchups for the FA Cup third round, which is set to commence the weekend of January 10, 2026. Among the notable fixtures, the prominent club Arsenal will face Portsmouth at Fratton Park. This matchup marks the beginning of Arsenal’s pursuit for an unprecedented 15th FA Cup title.
Match Details
Arsenal last confronted Portsmouth in the FA Cup on March 2020, securing a 2-0 victory. This win showcased Arsenal’s dominance, extending their unbeaten streak against Portsmouth in this competition to five matches. Currently, Portsmouth sits at 22nd place in the Championship, adding an intriguing dynamic to this upcoming encounter.
Third Round Format Changes
This year’s FA Cup third round introduces some significant changes. Unlike previous seasons, ties that end in a draw will go directly to extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary. This ensures that each clash determines a clear winner without the need for replays.
Full Third-Round Draw
- Boreham Wood vs Brackley Town or Burton Albion
- Bristol City vs Watford
- Burnley vs Millwall
- Cambridge United vs Birmingham City
- Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea
- Cheltenham Town vs Leicester City
- Derby County vs Leeds United
- Doncaster Rovers vs Southampton
- Everton vs Sunderland
- Fulham vs Middlesbrough
- Grimsby Town vs Weston-super-Mare
- Hull City vs Blackburn Rovers
- Ipswich Town vs Blackpool
- Liverpool vs Barnsley
- Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace
- Manchester City vs Exeter City
- Manchester United vs Brighton
- MK Dons vs Oxford United
- Newcastle United vs Bournemouth
- Norwich City vs Walsall
- Port Vale vs Fleetwood Town
- Portsmouth vs Arsenal
- Preston North End vs Wigan Athletic
- Salford City vs Swindon Town
- Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town
- Sheffield Wed vs Brentford
- Stoke City vs Coventry City
- Swansea City vs West Bromwich Albion
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
- West Ham United vs QPR
- Wolves vs Shrewsbury Town
- Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest
As the competition approaches, excitement builds for what promises to be a thrilling weekend of football, with clubs eager to secure their spots in the next round of the FA Cup.
