There are six qualifying rounds in the FA Cup before the competition reaches the First Round Proper. These qualifying rounds start with lower-tier clubs and progressively include clubs from higher levels of non-league football. The rounds are as follows:
- Extra Preliminary Round
- Preliminary Round
- First Round Qualifying
- Second Round Qualifying
- Third Round Qualifying
- Fourth Round Qualifying
After these six qualifying rounds, the 32 winners advance to the First Round Proper, where clubs from League One and League Two join the competition. The Premier League and Championship clubs enter later, at the Third Round Proper.
