Places for the FA Cup were capped at 732 to match the number of clubs in the top 9 tiers of English football, meaning 640 places were available in the qualifying competition.[1] Clubs from the 10th tier were accepted only where there was a shortage of teams due to higher ranked teams not applying or being ineligible for entry. This left seven places, which were awarded to the applicants from the 10th tier that had finished 2022–23 with the highest points per game, but that had not been promoted.[1]
^ abcd(10) represents teams allocated to divisions at the 10th tier of English football (otherwise known as Step 6 of the National League System). (9) represents the 9th tier (Step 5 NLS). (8) represents the 8th tier (Step 4 NLS).
The draw for the preliminary round was made on 7 July 2023, following the draw for the extra preliminary round.[2]Okehampton Argyle were the sole team from Level 10 to progress to this stage.
^ abcd(10) represents teams allocated to divisions at the 10th tier of English football (otherwise known as Step 6 of the National League System). (9) represents the 9th tier (Step 5 NLS). (8) represents the 8th tier (Step 4 NLS).
^ abcd(10) represents teams allocated to divisions at the 10th tier of English football (otherwise known as Step 6 of the National League System). (9) represents the 9th tier (Step 5 NLS). (8) represents the 8th tier (Step 4 NLS). (7) represents the 7th tier (Step 3 NLS).
^ abcd(9) represents teams allocated to divisions at the 9th tier of English football (otherwise known as Step 5 of the National League System). (8) represents the 8th tier (Step 4 NLS). (7) represents the 7th tier (Step 3 NLS). (6) represents the 6th tier (Step 2 NLS).
^ abcd(9) represents teams allocated to divisions at the 9th tier of English football (otherwise known as Step 5 of the National League System). (8) represents the 8th tier (Step 4 NLS). (7) represents the 7th tier (Step 3 NLS). (6) represents the 6th tier (Step 2 NLS).
The draw for the fourth qualifying round was made on 2 October 2023.[9] This round included five teams, Biggleswade Town, Leek Town, Ramsgate, Cray Valley (PM) and Sheppey United, from Level 8, the lowest-ranked teams left in the competition. The latter three sides in Ramsgate, Cray Valley Paper Mills and Sheppey United also became the lowest ranked sides this season to reach the first round proper, all three of which played in the Isthmian League South East Division.
^ abcd(8) represents teams allocated to divisions at the 8th tier of English football (otherwise known as Step 4 of the National League System). (7) represents the 7th tier (Step 3 NLS). (6) represents the 6th tier (Step 2 NLS). (5) represents the 5th tier (Step 1 NLS).