FA Cup Third Round Draw: What Are The Games to Watch?

Key Highlights from The FA Cup Third Round Draw

London derbies , National League vs. Premier League, and so much more. The FA Cup Third Round draw rarely disappoints, and we have been treated to some thrilling matchups to look ahead to once again. We have picked out just a few headline fixtures that are certainly television broadcast-worthy.

West Ham United vs Queens Park Rangers

What a treat we are in for here. Premier League West Ham welcomes Championship QPR in the FA Cup, a fixture that would have been recognized as an all-Premier League tie in previous years. Bobby Zamora and Trevor Sinclair are just the first of many names that come to mind when pairing these two sides. While separated by a division nowadays, less can be said about the short travel distance between the two.

You're forgetting the mighty Westfield shopping centre derby - west ham Vs QPR

— Jack (@JackSQREd) December 8, 2025

The R's defeated The Hammers the last time these two met in the FA Cup, claiming a 1-0 victory in 1995. We can certainly anticipate this one being a tight matchup again, a QPR side in fine form will fancy their chances against a West Ham outfit that remain stagnant in the Premier League. It's hard to find a downside to this one, aside from the vast number of Met Police that are going to be on show in East London when the fixture date is confirmed.

Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace

Occasions like this are what the FA Cup is made for. National League North outfit Macclesfield takes on FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in the third round. The scriptwriters have had a filled day with this one. The Silkmen defeated National League South side Slough Town in extra time to progress, and it is safe to say they were sufficiently rewarded for this effort. Macclesfield was struck by a host of financial issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and saw their EFL status come to an abrupt end in the 2019/2020 season, finishing bottom of League Two after being deducted 17 points. The dark days appear to be out of sight for this Macclesfield side, who achieved promotion from the Northern Premier Division last season and currently sit just five points off the playoff spots in the National League North. Safe to say that the players were pleased to draw Premier League opposition as they watched along yesterday evening.

🏆 Macclesfield's reaction to drawing Palace in the third round of the FA Cup! pic.twitter.com/j6l2e38dD5

— Palace Report (@PalaceReport) December 8, 2025

Crystal Palace will fancy their chances of repeating FA Cup success again this season, despite the loss of cup hero Ebere Eze to league rivals Arsenal. Oliver Glasner will want to ensure that his side avoids a shock defeat, bearing in mind it is just the five tiers of English football that separate these two sides.

Portsmouth vs Arsenal

Now , if this doesn't scream Vintage Barclays, then I don't know what does. Pictures of Thierry Henry being cheered off by the Portsmouth fans after dropping a masterclass at Fratton Park rush to my mind. While the former Arsenal striker will be watching from the press box this time around, his beloved Gunners will be expected to do the job again here. Two sides that both know what it takes to win the competition : Pompey, the victors in 2008, while Arsenal is the most successful club in the competition's history, lifting the trophy 14 times. These two faced off in this competition at this stage in 2020, with Arsenal coming out as 2-0 victors that day and eventually going on to lift the trophy.

Portsmouth vs Arsenal 03/04

Pompey Fans Showing Love for Thierry Henry

When a player is that good you just have to applaud it 👏pic.twitter.com/LBXPhtwomJ

— My Greatest 11 (@MyGreatest11) December 8, 2025

By no means is all said and done in this fixture. Arsenal has been on the end of a cup upset in recent years, suffering defeat to former Championship side Nottingham Forest in 2022. While Portsmouth occupies the final relegation place in the Championship and Arsenal sits pretty at the top of the Premier League table, you can't help but think this one meets the criteria for quite the cup upset.

Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest

You can't help but think there has been more focus on the owners of both of these sides than performances on the pitch in recent times. The Reynolds vs. Marinakis derby has a good ring to it, after all. That said, this fixture brings prestigious historical background with it, one that the older generation of Wrexham fans would not need reminding about. These two have only met on one occasion : the third round of the FA Cup, where the Welsh side pulled off a shock result against a Forest side that had been European Champions under Brian Clough in 1981. This side included the likes of Trevor Francis, the first seven-figure fee transfer in English history, and was worth its weight in gold after scoring the winning goal against Malmö to win the European Cup in 1979.

Our first-ever meeting against Nottingham Forest saw us defeat the former back-to-back European Champions 3-1 at the City Ground in the @EmiratesFACup 🙌

🔴⚪ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/qtPdqVKQsA

— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) December 8, 2025

This matchup is sure to provide great entertainment yet again as Forest looks to make amends for their semifinal exit in this competition last season.