24 August 2026
By | Dave Rees
The draw has been made today for the First Round Qualifying of this year’s Emirates FA Cup. Thanks to our promotion we now join the competition at the first round of qualifying, for those that maybe don’t know here is how clubs join the competition based on their league status.
Extra Preliminary/Preliminary – Step 6, 5, 4 clubs
1st Round Qualifying – Step 3 clubs join (Isthmian, Southern and Northern Premiers)
2nd Round Qualifying – Step 2 clubs join (Enterprise National League North and South)
3rd Round Qualifying – Clubs remaining only
4th Round Qualifying – Step 1 clubs join (Enterprise National League)
1st Round Proper – EFL Championship, 2, 3 clubs join
2nd Round Proper – Clubs remaining only
3rd Round Proper – Premier League join
The draw for the FA Cup is regionalised roughly in a north and south split, upto the “proper” rounds, although the footprints can vary in the later stages of the qualification depending on locations of the teams remaining, they do not always follow which geographical league you are in.
Hanworth Villa will host Whistable Town in the Frist Round Qualifying, the tie will take place on Saturday 5th September with a 3pm kick off. This will be the first time the clubs have met, Whistable play at Step 4 in the Isthmian League South East Division. To get to this stage the Oystermen have already been victorious in two rounds with an Extra Preliminary round win over Roffey, 3-1 at home and another home win in the Preliminary Round over Newhaven 5-0. For the winners a place in the second round qualifying and a potential tie with a team from National League South.
