The 2021–22 FA Youth Cup was the 70th edition of the FA Youth Cup.
The competition consisted of several rounds and was preceded by a qualifying competition, starting with two preliminary rounds which was followed by three qualifying rounds for non-League teams. The Football League teams entered the draw thereafter, with League One and League Two teams entered in the first round proper, and Premier League and Championship teams entered in the third round proper.
The League One and League Two teams enter the first round Proper with the 39 non league winners from the qualifying rounds joining them for this round. Only Barrow AFC, Crawley Town, and Wycombe Wanderers did not participate from League One and League Two because the three did not apply. Hartlepool United vs. Bolton Wanderers was initially drawn, but Hartlepool withdrew from the tournament, granting Bolton a bye to the next round.[2]
64 teams compete in the Third round with the 43 Premier League and EFL Championship Clubs appearing this round along with the 21 winners from the previous round. Only Brentford from the EFL Championship did not participate as they did not apply for the tournament.