Carabao Cup Fourth-Round Draw Details

The Carabao Cup is already beginning to tighten. The field has been cut again, and only 16 clubs remain in the chase for a quarter-final spot as English football’s secondary cup starts to feel serious.

The third round had to be stretched over two nights to accommodate the Premier League’s European contenders, but the schedule now straightens out. The last 16 will be played in a more familiar rhythm, with every side knowing they are just one win away from the final eight and a clear sightline to Wembley.

With no regionalisation and no seeding to soften the blow, the fourth-round draw carries real jeopardy. Giants can collide early. Lower-league sides can land a money-spinning trip to one of the big arenas. Nobody gets to hide.

Here is how it all unfolds.

When is the Carabao Cup fourth-round draw?

The draw will be made on Wednesday 16 September, immediately after the Round Three tie between Manchester United and Brighton at Old Trafford.

That game kicks off at 8pm BST, so the draw is expected to take place some time after 10pm BST, once the final whistle and post-match duties are out of the way.

How can fans watch the draw?

Sky Sports will show the draw live as part of their coverage. Presenter Pien Meulensteen will lead the broadcast, with Jamie Redknapp and Ashley Young conducting the draw itself.

What are the ball numbers?

The EFL will confirm the ball numbers on Wednesday morning across its official channels, setting the stage for clubs and supporters to start plotting potential routes through the competition.

When will the fourth-round ties be played?

Round Four fixtures are scheduled for the week commencing 26 October. As with the previous stage, every tie will be a single-legged affair.

One game, one shot, and for 16 clubs, the chance to turn a routine cup run into something far more dangerous.