Excitement is ramping up as we approach the FA Cup third round draw, set to captivate fans on Monday, 8 December at 18:40 GMT. Ensuring a thrilling setup, the draw will unfold before the Brackley Town v Burton Albion match, capping off the second round of the competition.
Football enthusiasts have a special treat this year, as former England stars Joe Cole and Peter Crouch take the reins to conduct the draw. The stakes are high with 64 teams in the mix, promising a nail-biting competition ahead.
Joining the fray are the 20 victors of the second-round ties, alongside all Premier League clubs and 24 teams from the Championship. This inclusion sets the stage for a diverse and unpredictable round, filled with the potential for stunning upsets and heroic football tales.
A notable change this season is the elimination of replays for drawn matches. Instead, teams will face the challenge of extra time and, if the deadlock persists, the drama of a penalty shootout. This adjustment adds an extra layer of intensity to the matches, guaranteeing that each game will have a definitive winner and heightening the suspense for fans and players alike.
Scheduled to kick off around the weekend of Saturday, 10 January 2026, the third round promises a footballing spectacle filled with ambition, heart, and the relentless pursuit of glory. For Newcastle United supporters, like myself, the dream of our squad advancing, eyeing every possible trophy, feels just right within our grasp.
With Newcastle firmly part of the third round, the anticipation amongst the Toon Army is palpable. We're not just participating; we are contenders, bent on carving out victories that echo the triumphs of our storied past. Whether it's rival showdowns or monumental FA Cup battles, the spirit of legends like Shearer and the echoes of our 1955 FA Cup victory inspire the current squad and fanbase to dream big and bold.
As the black and white brigade marches forward, each match is not just about winning but about making a statement that Newcastle United's renaissance is here, loud and proud. And with the FA Cup a clear target, the journey from St. James' Park could very well end at Wembley, with silverware in hand.
As we gear up for the draw next Monday, keep the banter ready, and perhaps start pondering—how many Sunderland fans does it take to change a light bulb? You'd need at least four—one to screw it in and three to reminisce about how brightly it used to shine back when they were still in the Premier League!
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike Alexander Isak
To Play!
