The English Football League (EFL) has announced the referee appointments for the third round of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup, setting the stage for an exciting midweek of cup action. With Premier League giants like Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal entering the fray against lower-league opposition, these ties could produce classic upsets.
Key matches include Lincoln City hosting Chelsea and Port Vale welcoming Arsenal, all under the watchful eyes of experienced officials such as Craig Pawson and Andrew Madley. Kick-offs are scheduled for Tuesday 23rd September, and Wednesday 24th September, with no VAR in operation until later rounds.
Third Round: Individual Fixture Officiating Details
Barnsley v Brighton & Hove Albion (Tue 23 Sep, 19:45)
- Referee: Tom Reeves
- Assistant Referees: Jacob Lehane and Harley McKittrick
- Fourth Official: Alex Chilowicz
Tom Reeves oversees this intriguing clash between Championship Barnsley and Premier League Brighton, bringing his steady hand from recent EFL fixtures.
Burnley v Cardiff City (Tue 23 Sep, 19:45)
- Referee: David Webb
- Assistant Referees: Richard Woodward and Callum Gough
- Fourth Official: James Bell
David Webb takes charge of Burnley's home tie against Cardiff, where his experience in tense promotion battles could prove vital.
Fulham v Cambridge United (Tue 23 Sep, 19:45)
- Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
- Assistant Referees: Conor Brown and Hristo Karaivanov
- Fourth Official: Tom Nield
Rising star Ruebyn Ricardo handles Fulham's encounter with League One Cambridge, ready to manage any potential giant-killing attempts.
Lincoln City v Chelsea (Tue 23 Sep, 19:45)
- Referee: Matthew Donohue
- Assistant Referees: Matthew Smith and Jacob Graham
- Fourth Official: David Rock
Matthew Donohue referees the underdog story at Lincoln against Chelsea, with his calm demeanor suited to high-pressure cup nights.
Liverpool v Southampton (Tue 23 Sep, 20:00)
- Referee: Thomas Bramall
- Assistant Referees: Simon Bennett and Andrew Dallison
- Fourth Official: Lewis Smith
Thomas Bramall steps up for Liverpool's all-Premier League clash with Southampton, ensuring fair play in what could be a goal-heavy affair.
Wigan Athletic v Wycombe Wanderers (Tue 23 Sep, 19:45)
- Referee: Edward Duckworth
- Assistant Referees: Danny Jarvis and Danny Guest
- Fourth Official: Scott Oldham
Edward Duckworth officiates this all-League One battle between Wigan and Wycombe, drawing on his lower-league expertise.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton (Tue 23 Sep, 19:45)
- Referee: Craig Pawson
- Assistant Referees: Lee Betts and Adrian Holmes
- Fourth Official: Samuel Allison
Veteran Craig Pawson takes the whistle for Wolves versus Everton, his Premier League pedigree ideal for this regional rivalry.
Wrexham v Reading (Tue 23 Sep, 19:45)
- Referee: Simon Mather
- Assistant Referees: Mark Cunliffe and Kenwyn Hughes
- Fourth Official: Robert Massey-Ellis
Simon Mather oversees Wrexham's home game against Reading, where Hollywood glamour meets gritty EFL action.
Huddersfield Town v Manchester City (Wed 24 Sep, 19:45)
- Referee: Michael Salisbury
- Assistant Referees: Marc Perry and Steven Meredith
- Fourth Official: Oliver Langford
Michael Salisbury handles Manchester City's trip to Huddersfield, prepared for the champions' attacking prowess.
Newcastle United v Bradford City (Wed 24 Sep, 19:45)
- Referee: Thomas Kirk
- Assistant Referees: Mark Scholes and Andrew Fox
- Fourth Official: Anthony Backhouse
Thomas Kirk referees Newcastle's clash with Bradford, aiming to keep things balanced in a potential banana-skin tie.
Port Vale v Arsenal (Wed 24 Sep, 20:00)
- Referee: Andrew Kitchen
- Assistant Referees: Shaun Hudson and Sam Lewis
- Fourth Official: Andrew Humphries
Andrew Kitchen takes charge as Arsenal visit Port Vale, his EFL background helping navigate the cup's unpredictability.
Tottenham Hotspur v Doncaster Rovers (Wed 24 Sep, 19:45)
- Referee: Andrew Madley
- Assistant Referees: Nick Hopton and Craig Taylor
- Fourth Official: Farai Hallam
Andrew Madley officiates Spurs against Doncaster, bringing top-flight experience to ward off any early-round shocks.
The Role of Officials in Carabao Cup Third Round
In a competition known for its drama and surprises, the appointed officials play a crucial role in maintaining fairness without the aid of VAR. Seasoned referees like Craig Pawson and Michael Salisbury anchor the big games, while emerging talents get opportunities to shine.
Their decisions could swing ties and shape the path to Wembley—stay tuned for updates via the EFL website in case of any last-minute changes.
