FA Cup qualifying has almost reached its conclusion as the first round finally moves into view for the 2025/26 season.
Non-league hopefuls up and down the country have been battling it out for weeks now in a bid to reach the competition proper and hope of landing a plum tie against opponents from either League One or League Two.
While Premier League and Championship clubs still do not enter the fray until the third round, there are still plenty of high-profile opponents awaiting if they can just get over that last hurdle.
64 clubs are involved this weekend in the fourth qualifying round, which is split geographically into northern and southern sections.
The lowest-ranked side left in contention are ninth-tier Whitstable Town of the Southern Counties East Premier Division, who travel to face Wealdstone of the National League.
When is the FA Cup first round draw?
The draw for the first round proper of the 2025/26 FA Cup takes place on Monday October 13, 2025, before Worthing host Robbie Savage’s National League leaders Forest Green Rovers in the fourth stage of qualifying at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Proceedings are due to begin at approximately 6:40pm BST, with host Becky Ives joined by former West Ham forward Michail Antonio and ex-Crystal Palace stalwart Joel Ward.
Where to watch FA Cup first round draw
TV channel: The FA Cup draw is being shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 ahead of Worthing vs Forest Green Rovers, coverage of which begins at 6:30pm for a 7:30pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also watch the draw live online via the Discovery+ app and website. Live coverage is also available through the TNT Sports YouTube page.
When will FA Cup first round matches take place?
First round games are scheduled to take place across the weekend of November 1/2, 2025.
FA Cup first round ball numbers
49. Darlington or AFC Telford United
50. Macclesfield or Stamford
51. Gainsborough Trinity or Hartlepool United
52. Carlisle United or Boston United
53. Rochdale or York City
54. Runcorn Linnets or Buxton
56. South Shields or Spalding United
57. Tamworth or Hyde United
58. Scunthorpe United or King’s Lynn Town
60. Spennymoor Town or Billericay Town
61. Southport or FC Halifax Town
62. Altrincham or Harborough Town
63. Worthing or Forest Green Rovers
64. Maldon & Tiptree or Flackwell Heath
65. Woking or Brackley Town
66. Wealdstone or Whitstable Town
67. Slough Town or Enfield Town
68. Eastbourne Borough or Boreham Wood
69. Hampton & Richmond Borough or Eastleigh
70. Southend United or Folkestone Invicta
71. Ebbsfleet United or Solihull Moors
72. Braintree Town or Farnborough
73. Tonbridge Angels or Chatham Town
74. Weston Super Mare or Needham Market
75. Hemel Hempstead Town or Yeovil Town
76. Banbury United or St Albans City
77. Chelmsford City or Chippenham Town
78. AFC Totton or Truro City
79. Dorking Wanderers or Aldershot Town
80. Farnham Town or Sutton United
