The Carabao Cup is set to introduce changes to the competition starting from next season. Carabao Cup will adopt a new “seeding mechanism” to address fixture congestion caused by the extended Champions League format.
This system will ensure that Champions League qualifiers do not face Europa League teams in the early rounds of the Carabao Cup. The rankings will keep these clubs apart, reducing scheduling conflicts.
To further ease congestion, third-round EFL Cup fixtures will be spread over two weeks. However, the league has left its options open for the fifth round, depending on any potential clashes with European competition.
The introduction of the UEFA Conference League will also impact the Carabao Cup schedule. The group stages of the Conference League start at a later date, affecting the third round of the domestic competition.
In the past, fixture chaos led some clubs to consider fielding their youth players in the Carabao Cup. The expansion of European club competitions and the axing of cup replays contributed to this challenge.
Managers like Pep Guardiola have expressed concerns about the crowded calendar. With the Champions League, Club World Cup, and other competitions, balancing player rest days becomes increasingly difficult.
He said : “Next season, when we play in the Champions League, hopefully we will qualify, it is the same week as the Carabao Cup,” he said. “How are we going to play? Will we play EDS [development squad] in the Carabao Cup?
“After next season, we go to the Club World Cup. We are incredibly happy, a lot of money, incredibly prestigious. But how many days do I give off to the players? It’s unsustainable.”
