The Carabao Cup first round continues tonight, 7 August 2026, with Middlesbrough hosting Wrexham at 8pm BST at the Riverside. This match is one of three first-round ties scheduled for Friday, alongside Wolves v Port Vale and Wycombe v Stevenage, both kicking off at 7.45pm BST.
Middlesbrough's new £10m signing from Spurs, Will Lankshear, is expected to make his competitive debut up front. American signings Max Arfsten and Sebastian Berhalter are also set to start for Boro. For Wrexham, right wing-back Daniel Imray will make his full debut following his transfer from West Brom, and Danny Ward has been selected in goal.
The EFL season's start has been spread out to allow players more rest, resulting in a full round of Carabao Cup fixtures being played over the weekend for the first time this century. The competition is currently split into north and south sections, a format that will continue into round two, when 11 Premier League sides not involved in European competitions will enter.