Overview
- The draw is scheduled for around 6:40pm GMT before Brackley Town vs Burton Albion, with coverage on TNT Sports 1 and free streaming on discovery+ and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
- Sixty-four clubs will be in the hat, combining the Premier League and Championship entrants with the 20 winners from the second round.
- The FA has published the ball numbers, including Liverpool as 21, Manchester City 22 and Manchester United 23, with some slots to be finalised after the remaining second‑round results.
- Non-league representation is assured with at least two sixth‑tier teams included, with Macclesfield and Weston-super-Mare among the lowest-ranked sides and Boreham Wood also in the draw.
- Third-round ties are set for the weekend beginning Saturday, 10 January 2026.