EFL announces major change to Carabao Cup dates

Last Thursday saw the top-flight schedule for next year’s campaign being revealed, with the main headline being the six-week break in November and December.

This is due to the 2022 World Cup being held in winter in the northern hemisphere, for the first time in the tournament’s history.

With the competition in Qatar taking place at what is usually the busiest time of the year for English football clubs, other parts of the calendar are having to be rejigged, in addition to the league campaign.

That includes the Carabao Cup, which although it features Premier League sides, is organised by the EFL.

While the tournament will still begin in August, for lower-league teams, and conclude with the Wembley final at the end of February, many of the other rounds will take place at a different time of year than what we have become accustomed to.

The third round, for example, would usually be played in mid-September: United were eliminated from this season’s competition at this stage by West Ham.

However, next year it’s set for the week commencing 9 November, a date which tends to be earmarked for an international break.

Then the fourth round is to take place for the week after the World Cup final, starting 21 December. This season, that’s when the quarter-finals are scheduled.

Next term’s quarter- and semi-finals (both legs) are to be squeezed into a three-week window in January and February, before the showpiece event at the national stadium on Sunday 26 February.

Manchester United will be aiming for a sixth victory in the competition when it does get under way, after previous successes in 1991, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2017.

CARABAO CUP DATES FOR 2022/23

Round one – (week commencing) 10 August 2022
Round two – 24 August 2022
Round three – 9 November 2022
Round four – 21 December 2022
Quarter-final – 11 January 2023
Semi-final first leg – 25 January 2023
Semi-final second leg – 1 February 2023
Final – 26 February 2023