FA Cup: World’s Oldest Football Tournament Begins With First Round Proper
by Joseph King | by Joseph King
Plenty of magic in store for the 2025-26 FA Cup
When discussing the FA Cup, it’s inevitable that you will eventually come across the phrase “the magic of the FA Cup”. What is it that makes this competition so special? First off, its history - the FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world. Now in its 145th edition, there is a seemingly endless list of moments that deserve mention, and fans can spend hours comparing, debating and ranking them:
Second-tier Sunderland overcoming the mighty Leeds in 1973, or Ryan Giggs’ solo run and finish through the heart of the Arsenal defence in 1999? Maybe Gerrard’s thunderbolt strike against West Ham in 2006, or Wigan’s upset over Man City in 2013? How about Crystal Palace winning its first ever trophy in 2025?
The FA Cup has a flair for the dramatic with new moments like the ones above created every season. Who will write their names into the history books this time?
FA Cup fast facts
- Year of inception: 1871
- Defending champions: Crystal Palace (1st title)
- Total team entries: 747 when including qualifiers
- Most trophies: Arsenal (14)
- Competition leading scorer: Harry Cursham (49 goals)
Keep in mind, replays were removed from the first round onward in 2024-25 and the same format will be applied this season. If the match should end in a draw after 90 minutes, extra time will be played and, if needed, penalty shootout. Let’s check out a few matches to watch out for this weekend:
Port Vale vs Maldon & Tiptree
Kicking off our list is a match which epitomizes what the FA Cup is about. Maldon & Tiptree battled through four qualifying rounds to reach this stage and they are the lowest ranked team remaining in the FA Cup proper. Maldon & Tiptree, whose captain Jack Cawley is a London black cab driver, is a semi-professional club currently competing in the eighth tier of English football - the Isthmian League.
They will have a huge task on their hand as they head to Vale Park to take on League One side Port Vale. Understandably, Maldon & Tiptree are huge underdogs to advance but these David vs Goliath type matchups are exactly what make this competition so special. Learn more about this fixture with our Port Vale vs Maldon & Tiptree prediction!
Bolton vs Huddersfield
Both Bolton and Huddersfield might be silently cursing their luck. Out of the 24 League Two teams and the 32 non-league qualifiers, they happened to draw a fellow League One side. It’s even worse luck for each of them considering they are both ranked in the top nine in the League One standings.
These are two big clubs who have each played Premier League football in the last 15 years; Bolton in 2011-12 and Huddersfield in 2018-19. For the neutrals, it should make for a cracking match. See what our experts think in our Bolton vs Huddersfield prediction.
Tranmere vs Stockport
Stockport County is one of the best stories in English football at the moment. They are one of the top-performing teams in England’s top four leagues since regaining their EFL status in 2022. Manager Dave Challinor has instilled a winning culture in the dressing room over the last few seasons for the Hatters. He led Stockport to winning the National League in 2021-22, winning League Two in 2023-24 and finishing third in League One in 2024-25, almost pulling off an elusive double promotion.
This season, Stockport are flying high and currently lead the League One standings after 14 games played. They have a tricky away match against League Two side Tranmere, but the visitors will certainly be a team to watch in this competition should they make it through to the second round.