West Ham United will host Portsmouth at the London Stadium in the Carabao Cup first round following today's draw, marking the Hammers' return to this stage of the competition for the first time in 15 years after their relegation from the top flight.
The all-Championship encounter evokes memories of when the two sides regularly met in Premier League fixtures.
Nuno Espirito Santo's squad will welcome Pompey before the second-tier season gets underway, with the tie forming part of the weekend fixtures scheduled between 7 and 9 August.
The last time West Ham competed at this stage, they suffered a shock defeat to Aldershot at Upton Park.
West Ham will take on Portsmouth in the first round of the Carabao Cup
| REUTERSWolves and Burnley, who dropped out of the Premier League alongside the Hammers, have both been handed home fixtures in the opening round.
Wolves will entertain League Two side Port Vale at Molineux, whilst Burnley take on League One newcomers Notts County at Turf Moor.
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Elsewhere in the draw, Leicester City will host Northampton Town as the Foxes begin their campaign in League One following their own recent troubles.
Southampton face a trip to Colchester, whilst Norwich City have been paired with MK Dons at Carrow Road.
Sheffield Wednesday, relegated to League One last term, will meet newly promoted Bolton Wanderers on home soil.
Manchester City won the Carabao Cup last season
| PAThe draw produced several eye-catching encounters across both regional sections.
Middlesbrough will welcome Wrexham to the Riverside Stadium in what promises to be a compelling clash between two Championship promotion hopefuls.
A Devon derby awaits as Plymouth Argyle take on Exeter City, whilst London rivals QPR and Millwall will renew hostilities at Loftus Road.
Sheffield United travel to Mansfield Town, where the Blades will be seeking to avenge their surprise FA Cup exit to the Stags at Bramall Lane back in January.
Derby County face Lincoln City at Pride Park, with the Imps returning to the second tier for the first time in 65 years.
All 35 first-round ties will take place over the weekend of 7 to 9 August, launching the 2026-27 domestic season before league campaigns commence.
West Ham were relegated to the Championship last season
| REUTERSThe competition divides clubs into northern and southern sections during the early rounds, with sides competing in UEFA tournaments entering at the third-round stage.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace will all join at that point due to their European commitments.
Four clubs must navigate a preliminary round before reaching the first round proper, with York City facing Crawley Town and Rochdale meeting Tranmere Rovers to determine the final two places.
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Carabao Cup first round full draw
SOUTHERN SECTION
Coventry City vs Luton Town
Bristol City vs MK Dons
Bromley vs Ipswich Town
Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge United
Leyton Orient vs Wycombe Wanderers
Watford vs Norwich City
Charlton Athletic vs Stevenage
Oxford United vs Colchester United
Barnet or Newport County vs Millwall
Cardiff City vs Swindon Town
Gillingham vs AFC Wimbledon
Northampton Town vs Southampton
Cheltenham Town vs Exeter City
Plymouth Argyle vs QPR
Swansea City vs Crawley Town
Portsmouth vs Reading
NORTHERN SECTION
Barrow vs Preston North End
Grimsby Town vs Shrewsbury Town
Blackpool vs Port Vale
Salford City vs Rotherham United
Harrogate Town vs Lincoln City
Tranmere Rovers vs Burton Albion
Stockport County vs Crewe Alexandra
Huddersfield Town vs Leicester City
Wrexham vs Hull City
Birmingham City vs Sheffield United
Stoke City vs Walsall
Accrington Stanley/Oldham Athletic vs Peterborough United
Blackburn Rovers vs Bradford City
Middlesbrough vs Doncaster Rovers
West Bromwich Albion vs Derby County
Bolton Wanderers vs Sheffield Wednesday
Chesterfield vs Mansfield Town
Barnsley vs Fleetwood Town
Wigan Athletic vs Notts County