Liverpool will face Chelsea in the standout tie of the EFL Cup fourth round after the draw was conducted on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

The draw saw 13 Premier League clubs discover their opponents for the next stage of the competition, with Liverpool handed a home clash against Chelsea.

The fixture will also see Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso return to Anfield to face his former club.

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Arsenal were drawn away against Fleetwood Town, while Newcastle United will travel to Everton for another all-Premier League encounter.

Other fourth-round fixtures include Sunderland against Brentford, Fulham against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth against Aston Villa.

See complete draw below:

Fleetwood Town vs Arsenal

Manchester City/Norwich City vs Brighton

Everton vs Newcastle United

Sunderland vs Brentford

Liverpool vs Chelsea

Bradford City vs Peterborough

Fulham vs Crystal Palace

Bournemouth vs Aston Villa

The fourth-round ties are scheduled to take place during the week commencing October 26, 2026, between Matchweeks 8 and 9 of the Premier League.

Manchester City will determine the final fourth-round pairing when they host Norwich City in their outstanding third-round fixture on Thursday, September 17.

The third round has already produced several notable results. Liverpool defeated Tottenham 3-1, Arsenal beat Ipswich Town 4-2, while Chelsea recorded a 6-3 victory over Leeds United.

Manchester United were eliminated after losing 3-2 to Brighton, while Newcastle United defeated Millwall 1-0. Everton beat Wolves 1-0, Crystal Palace defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 and Bournemouth thrashed Lincoln City 4-0.

Peterborough progressed after beating Barnsley 7-6 on penalties following a 3-3 draw, while Fleetwood Town defeated Sheffield United 1-0.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has ushered in the end of an era for several established football stars, with a number of prominent players bringing their international careers to a close following the tournament.

The departures include legendary names who have played major roles for their countries over the years, as well as players who captained their national teams and featured at multiple major tournaments.

From Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar to Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Edin Džeko, the list reflects a significant generational change in international football.

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Here are 10 notable players who have ended or announced the end of their international careers:

Lionel Messi — Argentina

Argentina captain Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after the 2026 World Cup, where his side reached the final.

The 39-year-old remains Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals.

FIFA reported that Messi is expected to make a farewell appearance for Argentina against Benin in Buenos Aires on October 6.

Neymar — Brazil

Brazilian superstar Neymar also brought his international career to an end after the 2026 World Cup.

The forward made his Brazil debut in 2010 and represented the country at four World Cups.

Following Brazil’s elimination, Neymar confirmed that his international journey had come to an end.

James Rodríguez — Colombia

Colombia captain James Rodríguez announced his international retirement on September 15, 2026.

The 35-year-old played at three World Cups and leaves the national team as Colombia’s all-time leader in appearances, with 131 caps, and assists, with 43.

Rodríguez is also Colombia’s leading goalscorer at the World Cup, having scored six goals in the competition.

Manuel Neuer — Germany

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer ended his international career after the 2026 World Cup.

The 40-year-old had previously retired from international football after Euro 2024 but returned to the national team for the World Cup.

Neuer’s international career included Germany’s historic 2014 World Cup triumph.

Guillermo Ochoa — Mexico

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa also ended his international career following the tournament.

Ochoa became one of Mexico’s most recognisable footballers during a career that included multiple World Cup appearances.

He made a brief appearance during Mexico’s 2026 campaign before receiving a farewell from teammates and supporters.

Riyad Mahrez — Algeria

Former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez retired from international football after Algeria’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup.

Mahrez made his World Cup debut in 2014 and scored twice at the 2026 tournament before Algeria were eliminated by Switzerland.

He leaves international football having been one of Algeria’s most prominent players of his generation.

Édouard Mendy — Senegal

Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy announced his international retirement in September.

The 34-year-old finished his Senegal career with 59 appearances and was part of the team that won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

His departure adds another experienced figure to the list of African players leaving the international stage.

Iñaki Williams — Ghana

Ghana forward Iñaki Williams announced his international retirement after Ghana’s defeat by Colombia in the Round of 32.
Williams ended his four-year international career with 28 appearances for the Black Stars.

His decision comes as Ghana prepares for a new generation of players to take greater responsibility at international level.

Edin Džeko — Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina captain Edin Džeko announced on September 3, 2026, that he would retire from international football.

The 40-year-old is scheduled to play his final match for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Sweden on October 2 in the UEFA Nations League.

Džeko is the country’s record goalscorer and appearance-maker and has been one of the most influential players in its history.

Seko Fofana — Côte d’Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire midfielder Seko Fofana announced his retirement from international football on September 14, 2026, at the age of 31.

Fofana made 34 appearances and scored seven goals for the Elephants.

He was also part of the Côte d’Ivoire squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2024.

Edo Queens have made history by winning the WAFU-B Women’s Champions League title and securing a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.

The Nigerian champions defeated Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies 4-1 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw in regulation time in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Edo Queens had to come from behind twice before eventually prevailing in the decisive shootout, underlining the resilience that has defined their impressive campaign.

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Ampem Darkoa made a blistering start when Beline Nyarkoh opened the scoring just two minutes into the match.

The Nigerian champions responded almost immediately, with Doosuur Atume restoring parity two minutes later.

The Ghanaian champions regained the lead in the 74th minute, with Nyarkoh completing her brace and putting Ampem Darkoa within touching distance of the trophy.

However, Edo Queens refused to surrender.
In the 94th minute, Oluebube Umejiaku produced a dramatic late equaliser to force the encounter into a penalty shootout.

Edo Queens then held their nerve from the spot, converting four penalties, while Ampem Darkoa scored just once to hand the Nigerian side a 4-1 shootout victory.

The continental triumph caps a remarkable season for Edo Queens, who had earlier won the 2025/26 Nigeria Women’s Football League title.

The Benin-based club finished top of the league with nine points, ahead of Bayelsa Queens and Nasarawa Amazons, who both finished with eight points.

The NWFL triumph was Edo Queens’ second league title in three years, having won their maiden championship in 2024.

The club also celebrated individual success, with forward Atume Doorsuur sharing the league’s Golden Boot after scoring 13 goals, the same number recorded by Rivers Angels striker Abasiofoh Uwah.

Following their WAFU-B triumph, Edo Queens received a ₦50 million reward from Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The governor presented the team with the NWFL and WAFU-B trophies at the Government House in Benin City and praised the players for their determination, resilience and doggedness.

With the regional crown now secured, Edo Queens will turn their attention to the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.