Why Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool are in two different Carabao Cup third round draws

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The EFL have been forced to adapt the draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup. 14:42, Tue, Aug 25, 2026 Updated: 14:42, Tue, Aug 25, 2026 The Carabao Cup third round draw is set to take place (Image: Getty Images)A spanner in the works has been thrown to the EFL and their third round draw for the Carabao Cup.

Read our Privacy PolicyArsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are all competing in the Champions League, while Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Sunderland will feature in the Europa League. Brighton could still qualify for the Conference League through the qualifiers, though that competition does not kick off until October and will therefore not cause a scheduling conflict.Champions League and Europa League fixtures in September, pencilled in for the weeks commencing September 7 and September 14 respectively, will clash with the third round of the Carabao Cup.The EFL has consequently opted to introduce new conditions for the draw to guarantee that the aforementioned clubs cannot be pitted against one another in the third round.A "pre-draw" has also been introduced, set to take place on Sky Sports ahead of Preston vs Everton.

This will determine whether the Premier League clubs competing in European competitions will be drawn at home or away in the main draw.Manchester City are the reigning champions. (Image: Getty)The EFL explained in a statement: "In the main draw, to be conducted after the round two tie, the first eight ties will involve those Champions League and Europa League clubs, with their home or away position already having been decided, and each will be drawn against a club from a separate bowl containing the remaining teams.