FA Cup 2026-27 3rd Qualifying Round Preview
By Phil Annets (@FACupFactfile)
The 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup is the last round before the clubs from the National League enter the competition, so for those clubs still standing that began their campaigns in the earliest Extra Preliminary Round they are now just one more win away from a potential dream tie that would have seemed very unlikely at the start of the season.
Five Alive
This is particularly true for the five remaining Step Five clubs that have already won four FA Cup ties this season. Arguably, Cirencester Town have the toughest task of progressing being drawn away at Step Two Truro City, but a similar giant has already been slayed in the previous round so hopes will be high!
A win for Cirencester Town would equal the club’s best FA Cup run, but for Barton Town who host National League North side Chorley FC, a three step Cupset win would continue their current record run in the competition.
Tadley Caleva is another Step Five club already on a record FA Cup run and they host Dartford FC from two levels above, whilst South East Dons are the last remaining debut club standing and they travel to Weymouth FC, a club that has had many forays into the ‘Proper’ rounds of the competition but which now sits just one level above the debutants.
Trafford FC also face opponents from just one level above as they host Atherton Collieries. Both clubs began their campaigns in the earliest round this season so there will be at least one such club with the opportunity to face National League opponents. Additionally, a win for either club in that match will set a new club record FA Cup run!
Looking For A Fifth Win
Other Step Four clubs that began in the Extra Preliminary Round one win away from the final qualifying round include Mulbarton Wanderers (already on a club record run and hosting Gloucester City from Step Three), Coventry United (also already on a club record run who travel to Step Three Leiston FC), and Crowborough Athletic (who would set a record run with a home win over Step Three Wimborne Town).
Also looking to make it five FA Cup wins this season are AFC Rushden and Diamonds (who would equal a club record run with a win over Braintree Town from two levels above), Cambridge City (competing in FA Cup for 100th time and hosting Step Three Alvechurch FC), and Stafford Rangers (who are hosting another club participating in FA Cup for 100th time this season, Halesowen Town).
That Stafford Rangers versus Halesowen Town tie is the most common one of the round with this being their fifth meeting. They have two wins apiece in past FA Cup games. Sheppey United is another Step Four club that started in Extra Preliminary Round who also face opponents they’ve met in the competition before in the shape of Chertsey Town.
Chertsey Town won their previous encounter seven years ago and also defeated the original Sheppey United when they met in the competition 25 years before then. A third win for Chertsey Town would equal the club’s best Cup run.
Record Runs
Several other clubs would equal or set a club best run with a victory in this round. Salisbury FC, Hanwell Town, Wingate and Finchley and Berkhamsted FC would all set a new club record run with a win against Dulwich Hamlet, Dover Athletic, Bedford Town and Redditch United respectively.
Real Bedford are already on a club record run and they travel to Chesham United, another club involved in the FA Cup for the 100th time this season, whilst Bromsgrove Sporting, Enfield Town, Dorking Wanderers, Cray Wanderers, Plymouth Parkway, Sholing FC, Thame United, Hanworth Villa and Brentwood Town would all equal their best Cup runs with a win.
Brentwood Town host Dagenham and Redbridge in a tie that has been chosen to be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer. Darlington FC won through the tie shown live in the previous round and they now face Morecambe FC in one of five ties this round that pit Step Two sides against each other.
A Dish Best Served Cold
Another all Step Two tie sees Spennymoor Town host Chester FC looking to avenge FA Cup defeat by their opponents at this same stage of the competition six years ago. Worcester City has had to wait considerably longer for their opportunity to avenge a past Cup defeat by their opponents Kettering Town who won through a 1st Round second replay between the two clubs at Birmingham City’s St Andrews ground a massive 101 years ago!