Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Wrexham Break New EFL Cup Records with Historic Appearance

Carabao Cup: Welsh Clubs Await Fourth-Round Fate as Premier League Giants Remain in the Hunt

September 24, 2025

Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Wrexham are poised to learn their next opponents in the Carabao Cup, as the draw for the fourth round is set to take place around 10:00 PM BST on Wednesday. This follows the completion of several third-round matches, including Arsenal’s televised encounter against Port Vale.

Currently, seven teams from the Premier League are still competing for the coveted trophy: Liverpool, Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal palace, Brentford, Fulham, and Wolverhampton wanderers. They are joined by League one’s Wycombe Wanderers and League Two’s Grimsby Town, the latter of which caused a major upset by defeating Manchester United in the previous round.

key Matchups Scheduled for Wednesday

Alongside Arsenal’s match against Port Vale, Wednesday’s schedule features several other intriguing contests. Manchester City will travel to Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United will host Bradford City, and Tottenham Hotspur will welcome Doncaster Rovers to their home stadium. These matches will further shape the landscape of the competition.

Given the presence of these strong contenders, Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Wrexham face the distinct possibility of being drawn against top-tier opposition as they strive to reach the quarter-finals. The draw could present significant challenges but also opportunities to showcase their abilities against some of England’s best teams.

Adding another layer of excitement, the possibility of a captivating welsh derby in the Carabao Cup remains alive. A clash between any combination of Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Wrexham would undoubtedly generate significant local interest and fierce competition.

Carabao Cup Participating Teams – Round Four

League	Team
Premier League	Liverpool
Premier League	Chelsea
Premier league	Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League	Crystal Palace
Premier League	Brentford
Premier League	Fulham
Premier League	Wolverhampton Wanderers
League One	Wycombe wanderers
League Two	Grimsby Town
Welsh Clubs	Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Wrexham (awaiting draw)

Did You Know? Grimsby Town’s victory over Manchester United marked one of the biggest upsets in Carabao Cup history, highlighting the competition’s potential for unexpected results.

Pro Tip: keep up with the latest Carabao Cup news and schedule updates on the official EFL website: https://www.efl.com/

The Carabao Cup: A Brief History

The Carabao cup, originally known as the league Cup, has a rich history dating back to 1960. It provides a platform for teams from all levels of the English football league system to compete for a major trophy, offering a pathway to european competition for the winner. Over the years,the competition has witnessed numerous memorable moments and upsets,cementing its place as a significant event in the English football calendar.

The competition’s format often allows smaller clubs to punch above their weight, and frequently showcases rising stars and tactical innovations. It is indeed a valuable proving ground for players and managers alike, and is frequently enough viewed as a stepping stone to greater success.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Carabao Cup

• What is the Carabao Cup? The Carabao Cup is an annual knockout football competition open to all 92 clubs in the English Football League.
• When is the Carabao Cup draw? The fourth-round draw is scheduled for approximately 10:00 PM BST on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
• Which Premier League teams are still in the Carabao Cup? Liverpool, Chelsea, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Fulham, and Wolverhampton wanderers are all still in contention.
• Could there be a Welsh derby in the Carabao Cup? Yes,the draw could possibly pit Cardiff City,Swansea City,or Wrexham against each other.
• What does the Carabao Cup winner receive? The winner of the Carabao Cup qualifies for the UEFA Europa Conference League.
• How does the Carabao Cup benefit smaller clubs? The competition provides smaller clubs with the chance to compete against top-tier teams and potentially earn significant revenue.

What are yoru predictions for the fourth-round draw? share your thoughts in the comments below!

What specific records did Cardiff City break during their 2024/2025 EFL cup run?

Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Wrexham Break New EFL Cup Records wiht Historic Appearance

A Landmark Season for Welsh Football in the Carabao Cup

The 2024/2025 EFL Cup (also known as the Carabao Cup) witnessed an unprecedented moment in Welsh football history, with Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Wrexham AFC all achieving significant milestones and breaking new records within the competition. This article delves into the details of their remarkable performances, the records set, and the implications for Welsh football moving forward. We’ll cover key match details, player performances, and the overall impact of this historic season.

Cardiff City’s Deepest Run in Years

Cardiff City enjoyed their most successful EFL Cup campaign in over a decade,reaching the semi-finals. This represents a significant improvement in their cup form, exceeding expectations from pre-season predictions.

* Key Results: Cardiff navigated a challenging path, defeating Premier League opposition in the Round of 16 – a feat that significantly boosted their profile. Their quarter-final victory against Championship rivals further solidified their position as cup contenders.

* Record Broken: Cardiff’s semi-final appearance marked their deepest run in the EFL Cup sence their 2012/2013 season, when they ultimately won the competition.

* Player Spotlight: Callum O’Dowda’s consistent performances and crucial goals were instrumental in Cardiff’s success.

Swansea City’s Resurgence in the League Cup

Swansea City also experienced a positive EFL Cup journey, reaching the quarter-finals. This run provided a welcome distraction from their league campaign and offered fans a glimpse of potential.

* Tactical Approach: Swansea’s manager,Luke Williams,adopted a pragmatic approach in the EFL Cup,prioritizing defensive solidity and capitalizing on counter-attacking opportunities.

* Record Achieved: Reaching the quarter-finals was Swansea’s best performance in the EFL Cup for five seasons, demonstrating a clear upward trajectory in cup competitions.

* Young Talent Showcase: The EFL Cup provided a platform for Swansea’s academy players to gain valuable experience, with several youngsters making significant contributions.

Wrexham’s historic First Season as EFL competitors

Wrexham AFC, fresh off their promotion back to the Football league, made a stunning impact in their first EFL Cup campaign. Their participation alone was a landmark moment,but their performance exceeded all expectations.

* Giant-Killing Run: Wrexham eliminated several higher-league teams, including a notable victory against a Championship side in the second round. This showcased their competitive spirit and tactical flexibility.

* New Record Set: Wrexham’s run to the fourth round was the furthest a National League (prior to promotion) team had progressed in the EFL Cup in over a decade, setting a new benchmark for non-Premier League clubs.

* Hollywood Effect: The ownership of Wrexham by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney brought unprecedented media attention to the EFL Cup, boosting viewership and generating significant interest in the competition. This “Hollywood effect” undeniably contributed to the tournament’s profile.

* Paul Mullin’s Impact: Star striker Paul Mullin continued his prolific goal-scoring form, becoming a key figure in Wrexham’s cup run.

The impact on Welsh Football

The collective success of Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Wrexham in the 2024/2025 EFL Cup has had a profound impact on Welsh football.

* Increased Visibility: The performances of these clubs have raised the profile of Welsh football both domestically and internationally.

* Boost to Fanbase: The excitement generated by their cup runs has attracted new fans and reinvigorated existing supporters.

* Financial Benefits: Reaching later stages of the competition provides significant financial rewards for the clubs, which can be reinvested in player growth and infrastructure.

* National Pride: The success of Welsh clubs in the EFL Cup has fostered a sense of national pride and unity.

EFL Cup Format & Key Changes (2024/2025)

The 2024/2025 EFL Cup saw some minor adjustments to the format, including:

1. Seeding: Premier League clubs were seeded in the early rounds, providing a slightly more favorable draw for them.
2. Away Goals Rule: the away goals rule was abolished, meaning ties were decided by extra time and penalties if the aggregate score was level after 90 minutes.
3. VAR Implementation: Limited VAR (Video Assistant Referee) was introduced in select matches, primarily in the later stages of the competition.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Welsh Football in the EFL Cup

The 2024/2025 EFL cup season will be remembered as a watershed moment for Welsh football. The success of Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Wrexham has demonstrated the potential for