Former winners Leicester City will travel to sixth-tier outfit Oxford City in the first round of the 2026-27 FA Cup. It marks the first time the Foxes have competed at this opening stage of the tournament proper since 2008. Leicester, who lifted the FA Cup trophy just five years ago in 2021, dropped down to League One for the current campaign, where manager Russell Martin's side sits 14th in the standings following an inconsistent start to the year.
The first-round draw, which featured 91 teams, also set up a unique family encounter as Peterborough United take on Reading. The tie will see Posh manager Robbie Savage go head-to-head against his son Charlie's side. Elsewhere in the draw, four clubs successfully reached the first round proper for the very first time in their history.
Several lower-league contenders learned their potential paths forward, including eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds, who earned a visit to League One club Burton Albion after winning five FA Cup matches already this season. Meanwhile, Tadley Calleva, the lowest-ranked club still involved, came from behind on two occasions to earn a replay against Aldershot; the winner of that fixture will head to League One side Barnsley. Conversely, the highest-ranked team entering the competition, League One leaders Bradford City, will play at home against National League North outfit Marine.
First-round fixtures are scheduled to kick off around the weekend of Saturday, 7 November. Other notable matchups pulled from the draw include Huddersfield Town hosting Exeter City, Barnet welcoming Tranmere Rovers, and Oxford United taking on Stevenage, as clubs across the football pyramid fight for a coveted place in the second round.