Who qualifies for EFL Cup?

Organised by the English Football League (EFL), it is open to any club within the top four levels of the English football league system – 92 clubs in total – comprising the top-level Premier League, and the three divisions of the English Football League’s own league competition (Championship, League One and League Two)

The 2023/24 EFL Cup is midway through the third round and some Premier League sides have already bowed out.

Unlike the FA Cup, the EFL Cup — still known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship purposes — only involves the teams in the top four leagues of English football; the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.

Manchester United are the defending champions, beating Newcastle in last season’s final to move clear of Aston Villa and Chelsea as the third-most successful side in EFL Cup history with a sixth success.

United’s victory also extended the Premier League’s hold on the competition to 32 years, with Sheffield Wednesday the last team to win the EFL Cup from outside the top flight, beating the Red Devils in 1991.

Tottenham won’t be among the Premier League sides fighting for a spot at Wembley, losing in the second round to Fulham, before the full contingent of the top-flight had even entered the competition. But now they are, the action can really begin