The 2026/27 Carabao Cup gets under way with a twist, as the new season brings a new detail.

For the first time in recent memory, the first round is being staged across a weekend rather than in the traditional midweek slot, with the reason having something to do with a major tournament in North America.

Here, GIVEMESPORT brings you the reason why.

Why Carabao Cup Round One Games Are Being Played on a Weekend

No prizes for guessing that the World Cup is the reason for this new schedule. With the expanded 48-team tournament staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico taking up more of the summer than usual, the start of the domestic season has been pushed back to give players and clubs a breather.

That later start has condensed the football calendar, and to ease the congestion, the EFL has shifted the Carabao Cup’s opening round forward to the weekend of August 7-9.

It means the competition actually kicks off before the league campaign this year. The Championship, League One and League Two seasons do not begin until the following week, meaning it is the first taste of competitive action for most EFL clubs of the new campaign.

Of course, Premier League clubs enter the competition in Round Two, with clubs that have qualified for the Champions League or Europa League joining in Round Three.

How It Differs From the Traditional Dates

Typically, round one is played during the week immediately after the opening league fixtures, across a Tuesday and Wednesday. The 2026/27 season flips that: the cup comes first, spread over a weekend, before a ball has been kicked in the EFL.

Crucially, only the first round has moved. From round two onwards — the stage at which the 11 Premier League clubs not involved in Europe enter — the competition reverts to its familiar midweek rhythm.

A preliminary round was again required this term to accommodate the nine Premier League sides in European competition, with Crawley Town and Rochdale coming through to join the 68 other EFL clubs in round one.

Carabao Cup Round One Fixtures

Every tie will be live on Sky Sports, with marquee games on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football and the remainder streamed on Sky Sports+. Middlesbrough‘s clash with Wrexham is also being shown free-to-air on ITV, emulating its round-one coverage from last season with Birmingham City v Sheffield United on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

Northern Section

Southern Section

Ugandan international footballer David Owori has died at the age of just 27 after being attacked by a group of robbers near his home in the capital, Kampala.

Owori, who was captain of Ugandan side SC Villa, was hospitalised and in a critical condition following an attack on Tuesday evening. Unfortunately, he could not recover from his injuries and passed away on Wednesday.

It has since emerged that Owori was fatally assaulted by a gang of thugs after resisting an attempt to steal his mobile phone and other belongings.

The versatile midfielder, popularly known as Colgate, started his career in 2016 at Vipers SC, before joining SC Villa in 2018. He moved to Spain in 2021 as he joined Vélez CF, before moving to Sweden to play for Utsiktens BK a year later.

He rejoined SC Villa in 2023 and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the Uganda Premier League. He captained his side to a third place finish in the 2025/26 campaign.

SC Villa Call For Justice in Strongly-Worded Statement

SC Villa have paid tribute to their captain and urged law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.

Their statement said: “Sports Club Villa has called upon the relevant security and law enforcement agencies to urgently investigate and bring to justice those responsible for the tragic death of club captain David Owori, who succumbed to injuries sustained following a brutal assault by unknown assailants.

“David Owori will be remembered as a dedicated servant of SC Villa, a respected leader on and off the pitch, and a player whose commitment, professionalism, and passion for the badge inspired team-mates and supporters alike.”

They continued: “As the football community continues to mourn one of its finest leaders, SC Villa once again calls upon the authorities to deliver justice and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Sports Club Villa remain with David Owori’s family, friends, team-mates, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Police Release Statement Following Owori’s Death

Local police spokesperson Rachael Kawala said detectives were pursuing leads to identify those responsible.

“The scene of the incident has been documented and processed to ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and preserved,” Kawala said, per the BBC.

Uganda’s National Football Team also released a heartfelt statement, saying: “David was not just a footballer. He was both a leader and an inspiration to a generation. As Captain of SC Villa, he led with courage, humility and passion. In the Uganda Cranes jersey, he carried the hopes of a nation.

“We have lost a son, a leader and a star. His light on and off the pitch will never be forgotten. We pray that the Almighty grants Owori David eternal rest and gives his family and SC Villa the strength to bear this great loss during these trying times. Rest in peace, Captain.”

Owori’s death comes just a few weeks after Ugandan international rugby player Sydney Gongodyo (27) was killed by a criminal gang in Kampala.

MMA fans were left rather bemused a couple of years ago when two female fighters exchanged a rather steamy kiss during their weigh-in face-off.

Usually, a face-off is a final opportunity before fight night to intimidate your opponent with a few words, with fighters often pushing and shoving the other. This was not the case, however, at the Clash of the Stars event back in 2023.

Karina Pedro and Denisa Ryndova were up against each other alongside teammates Inked Dory and Kristal Shine, but it was the former two that stole the limelight and the headlines during the face-off.

Ahead of their bout in Prague, the two put their heads together, with Denisa seemingly leaning in for a kiss. The feeling seemed to be mutual, with Karina smiling before grabbing her opponent’s face and returning the favour.

Although friendly at the weigh-in, the mood was very different in the cage, as you would obviously expect, with Karina and Inked Dory coming away as winners.

Sharing a clip on Instagram, she wrote: “Somehow I didn’t realise that the whole gala @clashofthestars is already over.

“I’ll at least throw here my favourite moment of this whole crazy journey.”

Karina, who is an OnlyFans star, similarly posted the footage on social media, adding: “This is pure fire… Staredown with @_dryndova_.

“I had to throw it here too. Harmonious energy flowed between us, and still we struggled in the cage like dragons.”

Speaking about her win, she also said: “I have very strong emotions. Winning is a great satisfaction for me. We gave everything into the preparations and the match itself. A person who has never faced their opponent in the ring can hardly imagine how difficult it is.”

Kisses in Other Face-Offs

This may be a rare sight in fighting, however, this is not the first time two warriors have exchanged a kiss.

During the UFC 228 weigh-in, Craig White pecked Diego Sanchez on the nose, but in this case, the love was not shared – Sanchez immediately reacted, backing away from White, shouting at him in the process.

We have also seen similar antics from heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora when he fought Carl Baker in 2010, again not welcomely received.