Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is basically a fever dream for football fans. We are right in the thick of that chaotic mid-January stretch where domestic cups, continental championships, and league grinds all collide at once. If you’ve been asking about the football schedule for today, you’re looking at a slate that ranges from a massive London derby in the Carabao Cup to high-stakes semifinals in Africa and a full-blown crisis in Madrid.
Honestly, it’s a lot to track. You've got the AFCON semifinals taking center stage in Morocco, the Bundesliga and Serie A filling out the evening, and a shocking result in Spain that has already sent ripples through the European landscape.
The Big One: Chelsea vs. Arsenal at the Bridge
If you only watch one game, make it the Carabao Cup semifinal first leg. Chelsea and Arsenal are kicking off at 20:00 (8:00 PM) local time at Stamford Bridge. This isn't just another London derby. It’s the debut of Liam Rosenior as Chelsea manager following the sudden departure of Enzo Maresca. Talk about being thrown into the fire.
Arsenal is currently flying high at the top of the Premier League, but the League Cup is often where momentum gets weird. Rosenior has spent his first few days drilling the squad specifically on Arsenal's set-piece dominance. Whether that pays off against a Gunners side that has looked nearly unbeatable in 2026 remains to be seen.
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Africa Cup of Nations: The Road to the Final
The AFCON 2025 (played in 2026) has reached the "win or go home" stage in Morocco. The football schedule for today features two massive semifinals that will determine who plays for the trophy this Sunday.
- Senegal vs. Egypt: This was a rematch of the 2021 final. In a tense encounter at the Grand Stade de Tanger, Sadio Mane just proved why he’s still the king of Senegalese football. He smashed home a winner in the 78th minute to send Senegal through with a 1-0 victory. Egypt looked uncharacteristically flat, failing to register a single shot on target.
- Nigeria vs. Morocco: Scheduled for 20:00 (local Moroccan time), this is essentially a home game for the Atlas Lions. The atmosphere in Rabat is expected to be hostile for the Super Eagles, who are looking to spoil the party for the hosts.
Copa del Rey Shock: Real Madrid’s Nightmare
The biggest news of the day actually comes from Spain. If you missed the early kickoff, Real Madrid has been dumped out of the Copa del Rey in spectacular fashion. Playing under interim-turned-permanent boss Alvaro Arbeloa—who took over after Xabi Alonso was sacked earlier this week—Madrid lost 3-2 to second-division Albacete.
Jefte Betancor scored a stoppage-time winner to seal the upset. Even with stars like Vinicius Jr. on the pitch, Madrid looked disjointed. Other Spanish action today includes:
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- Deportivo Alavés 2 - 0 Rayo Vallecano
- Real Betis 2 - 1 Elche
Europe and Beyond: Serie A and Bundesliga
Germany and Italy aren't taking the night off either. The Bundesliga is running a "Midweek Madness" schedule with four games tonight.
German Bundesliga:
- 1. FC Köln vs. Bayern München (19:30): Bayern is looking to tighten their grip on the table, but Köln at home under the lights is always a trap.
- RB Leipzig vs. SC Freiburg (19:30): A battle for the Champions League spots.
- VfL Wolfsburg vs. FC St. Pauli (17:30): St. Pauli is fighting for survival.
- Hoffenheim vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach (19:30).
Italian Serie A:
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- Napoli vs. Parma (17:30): Napoli is trying to recover their Scudetto-winning form from a few seasons ago.
- Inter Milan vs. Lecce (19:45): The Nerazzurri are heavy favorites here, but Lecce has been a "giant killer" lately.
Asian U23 Championship and the Rest
For the early birds or those following the developmental leagues, the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia just wrapped up its group stages. China pulled off a minor miracle, securing their first-ever quarterfinal spot after a 0-0 draw with Thailand. They’ll be heading to Jeddah to face Uzbekistan later this week. Australia also topped Group D after beating Iraq 2-1 earlier today.
In Scotland, the Premiership saw Celtic travel to Falkirk while Hearts hosted St. Mirren. These midweek games are often where the title race gets messy, especially with the weather turning cold and the pitches getting heavy.
How to Watch and What to Do Next
The football schedule for today is spread across multiple streaming platforms. In the US, the Carabao Cup is primarily on ESPN+, while the Bundesliga and La Liga (Copa del Rey) are split between ESPN+ and Peacock. For the AFCON matches, BeIN Sports is your go-to.
To make the most of this massive Wednesday, prioritize the Chelsea-Arsenal match for high-level tactical drama. If you want pure emotion, the Nigeria vs. Morocco semifinal is the pick. Check your local listings for specific kickoff times in your time zone, as several matches in Italy and Germany have slightly staggered starts to accommodate TV audiences. Lock in your streaming apps now so you don't miss the first whistle.