You've been there. It’s a random Wednesday in the middle of January, and you just want to sit down and watch the beautiful game. But with about fifty different streaming apps and a maze of cable channels, finding exactly what channel is football today feels like a part-time job.
Today is Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Honestly, the schedule is a bit of a wild ride. We aren't just talking about one league; we’ve got domestic cups in England and Spain, high-stakes international tournament semi-finals in Africa, and a massive slate of European league action. If you're looking for the NFL, take a breath—the Divisional Round doesn't kick off until Saturday. But for soccer fans, today is actually stacked.
The Big One: Chelsea vs. Arsenal in the Carabao Cup
If you’re in the UK, you’re likely eyeing the Sky Sports lineup. If you’re in the States, grab your remote and head to ESPN+.
Chelsea hosts Arsenal at Stamford Bridge for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. It’s a 8:00 PM local kickoff (3:00 PM ET). These mid-week London derbies usually get pretty spicy, especially with a trip to Wembley on the line. Expect a loud crowd and probably a few yellow cards.
For those of us in the US, ESPN+ has basically become the home for English cup competitions. It's $10.99 a month now, which is a bit of a sting, but it’s the only way to catch this one legally without a VPN.
What Channel Is Football Today: European League and Cup Action
While the English are fighting for the League Cup, the rest of Europe is grinding through their regular seasons or domestic trophies.
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Spain’s Copa del Rey
Real Madrid is on the road today. They are facing Albacete in the Round of 16. It’s a classic David vs. Goliath setup.
- Time: 8:00 PM CET / 2:00 PM ET
- US Channel: ESPN+
- UK Channel: Premier Sports 2
Barcelona is also in action against Racing Santander. That one is on Premier Sports 1 in the UK and, again, ESPN+ for American viewers.
Italy and Germany: Mid-week Grinds
Serie A and the Bundesliga aren't taking the day off.
- Inter Milan vs. Lecce: This is a big one for the Scudetto race. Catch it on Paramount+ in the US at 2:45 PM ET. In the UK, it’s on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport).
- FC Köln vs. Bayern Munich: Bayern is always a draw. This kicks off at 7:30 PM local time. US fans need ESPN+, and UK viewers should check Sky Sports Mix or Sky Sports+.
International Stakes: Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
The 2025/26 AFCON is reaching its fever pitch. Today we have the semi-finals, and the matchups are massive.
Senegal vs. Egypt is the early game (5:00 PM local). It's a rematch of legendary proportions. Then, later in the evening (8:00 PM), we get Nigeria vs. Morocco. These are arguably the four biggest heavyweights on the continent.
In the US, these matches are usually tucked away on beIN SPORTS. If you don't have that in your cable package, FuboTV is usually the easiest way to stream it. In the UK, Sky Sports has the rights for most of the tournament, but some games have been appearing on BBC iPlayer as well.
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Where is the American Football?
I know, some of you saw the word "football" and expected the pigskin.
If you're looking for the NFL, you're a few days early. The Wild Card Weekend just wrapped up on Monday with the Steelers and Texans. We are currently in the "dead zone" before the Divisional Round starts this Saturday, January 17.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET on CBS/Paramount+)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET on FOX)
College football fans are also in a bit of a waiting room. The National Championship just happened, and the focus has shifted entirely to the transfer portal and the underclassman declaration deadline, which is actually today, January 14.
Quick Guide to Channels and Apps
If you’re still staring at your TV wondering what channel is football today, here is the "cheat sheet" based on where you live:
United States Viewers:
- ESPN+: Bundesliga, Copa del Rey, Carabao Cup (Chelsea/Arsenal).
- Paramount+: Serie A (Inter Milan).
- beIN SPORTS: AFCON Semi-finals.
- Peacock: Selective Premier League replays (though no live PL today).
United Kingdom Viewers:
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- Sky Sports Main Event: Chelsea vs. Arsenal.
- Premier Sports: Real Madrid and Barcelona (Copa del Rey).
- TNT Sports: Inter Milan vs. Lecce.
- E4 / Sky Sports: AFCON Semi-finals.
Streaming vs. Cable: The 2026 Reality
Kinda sucks that you need four different subscriptions to watch three different games, doesn't it? That’s the reality of sports in 2026. Most "casual" fans are better off picking one ecosystem.
If you love European soccer, ESPN+ and Paramount+ are your best friends in the US. If you’re a die-hard for the Prem, you're stuck with USA Network and Peacock.
One thing people often get wrong: they think a "cable" login covers everything. It doesn't. Even if you have a massive Xfinity or Spectrum package, things like the Carabao Cup semi-final are often exclusive to the streaming app. Don't wait until five minutes before kickoff to realize you haven't downloaded the app or updated your password.
What You Should Do Next
First, check your specific local listings because "Blackout" rules are still a thing in some regions, though less common for international soccer.
If you're planning to watch the Chelsea vs. Arsenal match, ensure your ESPN+ or Sky Sports subscription is active at least 30 minutes prior. These apps have a weird habit of needing a "system update" right when the whistle blows.
For the AFCON matches, keep an eye on social media; sometimes the official tournament YouTube channels stream to specific regions if no major broadcaster picked up the rights locally. Log in, grab a drink, and enjoy a very busy Wednesday of football.