Chelsea will face Liverpool and Newcastle United will face Manchester City in the EFL (Carabao) Cup semi-finals, with both ties played over two legs in January and early February.

Semi-final ties

  • Chelsea vs Liverpool – A heavyweight all-Premier League clash, with the first leg at one club’s home before the return leg decides who goes to Wembley.
  • Newcastle United vs Manchester City – Holders Newcastle take on Pep Guardiola’s side in another blockbuster semi-final.

Key dates

  • Draw date: Held on Wednesday 17 December, after Newcastle vs Fulham in the quarter-final.
  • First legs: Week beginning 12 January 2026.
  • Second legs: First week of February 2026.
  • Final at Wembley: Scheduled for Sunday 22 March 2026.

Quick forum-style angle

Fans are already calling this one of the most stacked EFL semi-final line- ups in years, with narratives everywhere: Newcastle trying to defend the trophy, City chasing yet more silverware, and Chelsea–Liverpool renewing a modern cup rivalry.

TL;DR:
EFL semi-final draw: Chelsea vs Liverpool, Newcastle vs Manchester City; two legs in January/February 2026, Wembley final on 22 March 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.