The FA Cup has introduced a rule change due to the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the UK. According to the new rule, any participating club that cannot put together 14 players in their third-round matchday squad will have their games rescheduled, and if the postponed date cannot be accommodated before the fourth, the inflicted team will be forced to forfeit the game.

Following the announcement of the new lockdown in England and Scotland by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday, the Premier League football and other elite professional sports in England will be allowed to continue despite the lockdown restrictions. The six-week lockdown includes closure of primary and secondary schools with effect from Wednesday, recreational centres with some exemptions including "elite sportspeople (and their coaches if necessary, or parents/guardians if they are under 18) -- or those on an official elite sports pathway -- to compete and train".