If you’re staring at your calendar and realized it's Wednesday, January 14, 2026, you probably already know we are smack in the middle of that weird, beautiful winter football grind. This isn't just another Wednesday. We’ve got cup semifinals, heavy-hitting league fixtures, and some high-stakes international matches all colliding at once.
Honestly, trying to track the times of the football games today can feel like a full-time job. Between the EFL Cup in England, the Copa del Rey in Spain, and the absolute chaos of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), your remote is going to be working overtime.
The Big One: Chelsea vs Arsenal (EFL Cup Semi-Final)
Let's start with the one everyone is texting about. Chelsea and Arsenal are facing off in the first leg of the EFL Cup Semi-Finals. These London derbies usually go one of two ways: a cagey tactical chess match or a total fever dream where defense doesn't exist.
The match kicks off at 20:00 GMT (8:00 PM local time) at Stamford Bridge.
It’s kind of wild that the EFL Cup still carries this much weight, but when you're this close to a Wembley final, nobody is resting their stars. You’ve basically got two teams trying to salvage or solidify their season with silverware. If you're watching from the States, you're looking at a 3:00 PM ET start. Set your "out of office" now.
Copa del Rey: Real Madrid’s Road Trip
Over in Spain, it’s all about the Round of 16 in the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid is traveling to face Albacete, and while on paper it looks like a blowout, these mid-week cup games are where giants often trip over their own shoelaces.
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Kick-off for the Madrid game is scheduled for 21:00 CET (9:00 PM local time).
Wait, check your local listings though, because some regions are showing a 20:00 CET start for the early slate of Spanish games, including Alavés vs Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis vs Elche. Basically, if you want to see the Spanish cup action, clear your schedule starting from 7:00 PM GMT.
AFCON: Heavyweights Collide in the Group Stage
The Africa Cup of Nations is arguably the most entertaining tournament on the planet right now, mostly because the talent is world-class and the atmosphere is unmatched. Today is a massive day for the Group Stage.
- Senegal vs Egypt: This is the big rematch everyone wanted. Kick-off is at 17:00 GMT. It’s Mane vs Salah vibes, even if the squads have evolved.
- Nigeria vs Morocco: This one starts later at 20:00 GMT. If you like fast-paced, physical football, this is the one you can't miss.
Serie A and Bundesliga: The League Grinds On
While some countries are playing for trophies, Italy and Germany are sticking to the league grind. Napoli is hosting Parma at 17:30 CET, which is a crucial game for Napoli as they try to keep pace at the top of the table.
Inter Milan follows them up at 19:45 CET against Lecce. Inter has been a machine lately, so expect the San Siro to be rocking.
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In Germany, the Bundesliga has a full mid-week "Englische Woche" (English Week) going on:
- Wolfsburg vs St. Pauli (17:30 CET)
- FC Köln vs Bayern Munich (19:30 CET) - Always a massive draw.
- RB Leipzig vs Freiburg (19:30 CET)
- Hoffenheim vs Borussia Mönchengladbach (19:30 CET)
Bayern playing in a mid-week slot usually means goals. Lots of them.
Summary of Kick-Off Times
Look, it’s a lot to keep track of. Here is the quick breakdown of the times of the football games today across the major competitions so you don't miss the first whistle.
For the UK and GMT followers:
- 17:00: Senegal vs Egypt (AFCON)
- 18:30: Bayern Munich vs FC Köln (Bundesliga - Note: Local is 19:30)
- 19:45: Inter vs Lecce (Serie A)
- 19:45: Celtic vs Falkirk (Scottish Premiership)
- 20:00: Chelsea vs Arsenal (EFL Cup)
- 20:00: Real Madrid vs Albacete (Copa del Rey)
- 20:00: Nigeria vs Morocco (AFCON)
Why the Mid-Week Schedule Matters
People often complain that there’s too much football, and honestly, they might be right. But these mid-week games are where squad depth is actually tested. You’ll see 19-year-olds you’ve never heard of starting for Chelsea because of a "minor hamstring tweak" to a regular starter.
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Also, keep an eye on the weather. It's January. A rainy night in London or a freezing evening in Cologne changes how these games are played. The ball moves faster, players slip, and goalkeepers hate life.
How to Catch the Action
If you're in the UK, Sky Sports and TNT Sports usually split these. The EFL Cup is a Sky staple. For the US fans, you’re likely jumping between ESPN+ for the Spanish and German action and Paramount+ or Peacock for the others.
Make sure you’ve updated your apps. There’s nothing worse than the times of the football games today arriving and your app asking for a mandatory 500MB update right as the ball is kicked.
The biggest takeaway for today? The sheer volume. From the tactical battles in London to the raw intensity of the AFCON matches in Morocco, it’s a day for the fans. Just make sure you’ve got your snacks ready and your phone charged.
Actionable Next Steps
To stay ahead of the schedule for the rest of the week, you should sync your digital calendar with a live score app like SofaScore or FotMob. These apps will auto-adjust the times of the football games today to your specific time zone, which is a lifesaver if you're traveling. Also, check the weather reports for the European matches; high winds are expected in parts of Western Europe today, which could lead to some unpredictable long-ball tactics or even late postponements in the lower leagues.