Leicester City drawn away to Oxford City as Cup starts early
Former winners Leicester City will travel to Oxford City in the FA Cup first round.
It is a tie that tells you how far Leicester have fallen. The 2021 winners were relegated to League One, the third tier of English football, for the 2026-27 season. They will start the Cup at the first-round stage for the first time since 2008, according to BBC Sport.
Oxford City play in the National League North. That is the sixth tier, three levels below Leicester. The home side were ball number 73 in the draw, which was made live on TNT Sports on Monday 19 October after coverage starting at 6.30pm BST, the FA confirmed.
Russell Martin was Leicester manager at the time of the draw. His team sat 14th in League One. A short trip to Oxfordshire is no easy opener. Small grounds, tight pitches, loud home ends. This is where the Cup bites.
For fans, this means a new feeling. Leicester are used to entering in January with the Premier League clubs. Now they are in the thick of the early rounds with everyone else. Ninety-one teams went into the hat. Four are in the first round proper for the first time.
League One leaders Bradford City are the highest-ranked team in the round. They will host Marine of the National League North. At the other end, Tadley Calleva are the lowest-ranked survivors. They came from behind twice to force a replay with Aldershot. The winner of that replay will travel to Barnsley.
There is a family tie too. Peterborough United will face Reading, with Posh boss Robbie Savage up against his son Charlie's side.
The romance runs deep elsewhere. Eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds won five games to get here. Their reward is a trip to League One side Burton Albion. Oldham Athletic host Sheffield Wednesday in an all-former Premier League clash. Kidderminster Harriers welcome Doncaster Rovers, while Hornchurch are at home to Blackpool.
Other ties include Huddersfield Town against Exeter City, Bristol Rovers against Cambridge United, and Leyton Orient against Harborough Town. Luton Town will play Chesham United or Forest Green Rovers. Mansfield Town will play Macclesfield or Anstey Nomads.
Ties will kick off around the weekend of Saturday, 7 November. For Oxford City, it is already a day to circle. For Leicester, it is a reminder. In this competition, history counts for nothing once the whistle blows.
