If you’re waking up this Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and your first thought is wondering what time are the football games today, you’re likely in that weird mid-week lull between the NFL Wild Card chaos and the massive Divisional Round matchups coming up this weekend. It’s a bit of a bridge day. The air is cold, the playoff brackets are thinning out, and the "football" fix today looks a little different than a standard Sunday afternoon.
Let's be real: there isn't an NFL game tonight. I know, it's a bummer. After the Texans and Steelers closed out the Wild Card round on Monday night, the league takes a breather. But don't click away yet—because if you’re a fan of the "other" football (soccer) or you’re tracking the college transition period, there is actually a lot of movement happening today that you'll want to keep on your radar.
What Time Are the Football Games Today on the Soccer Pitch?
While the pads are off in the States, the cleats are very much on across the pond. Today is a massive day for European and international football. If you're looking for high-stakes competition, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is delivering the goods.
Senegal vs. Egypt is the headliner today. This is basically a heavyweight title fight on grass. It kicks off at 5:00 PM local time (12:00 PM ET). You've got Sadio Mané’s squad facing off against Egypt in what is essentially a rematch of some of the most intense African fixtures we’ve seen in recent years. If you're in the US, you can usually catch this on beIN Sports.
Later in the evening, the Nigeria vs. Morocco clash starts at 8:00 PM local time (3:00 PM ET). Morocco has been the darling of the international scene lately, but Nigeria’s attacking depth is no joke. This game is going to be electric.
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Domestic Cup Action in Europe
Over in England, it’s a League Cup (Carabao Cup) semi-final day. Chelsea vs. Arsenal is set for 8:00 PM GMT (3:00 PM ET). There is something about a London derby under the lights at Stamford Bridge that just feels different. It’s winner-takes-all vibes.
- Italy (Serie A): Napoli takes on Parma at 5:30 PM local time. Inter Milan follows up against Lecce at 7:45 PM.
- Germany (Bundesliga): A full slate of mid-week matches including Bayern Munich traveling to face FC Köln at 7:30 PM local time.
- Spain (Copa del Rey): Real Madrid is in action against Albacete at 8:00 PM local time.
Why the NFL Is Quiet Today (And What to Watch Instead)
Historically, the Wednesday after Wild Card weekend is the "film room" day for NFL fans. There are no live professional American football games today because the league spaces out the playoffs to maximize TV ratings. We just finished the first round of the postseason, and the Divisional Round doesn't start until Saturday, January 17.
However, today is actually a critical deadline in the football world. It’s the final day for college underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft. While it’s not a "game," the news cycle will be dominated by which superstars are leaving school and which are staying. If your team is out of the playoffs, this is your Super Bowl. You’ll see names popping up on the ticker all day as they make their futures official.
Honestly, if you need a gridiron fix, the NFL Network is basically running a 24-hour loop of the Texans vs. Steelers highlights from Monday. It’s a good way to kill time while waiting for the weekend.
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The College Football Landscape Today
College football fans are currently in a bit of a "hangover" period. The semifinals just wrapped up, with Miami beating Ole Miss and Indiana taking down Oregon. We are now staring down the barrel of the National Championship game on Monday, January 19.
There are no college games today. The schedule for the rest of the week is basically a desert until we hit that Monday night showdown in Miami Gardens. If you're looking for news, though, keep an eye on the transfer portal. With the season almost over, the "free agency" of college football is in absolute overdrive today. Coaches are flying across the country, and the landscape of the 2026 season is being built right now in living rooms and airports.
How to Catch the Action
Since the games today are mostly international, your viewing habits have to shift.
- ESPN+ is the go-to for the German Bundesliga and some domestic cups.
- Paramount+ is where you'll find the Italian matches.
- beIN Sports owns the AFCON rights for the Senegal and Nigeria matches.
Looking Ahead to the Divisional Round
Since you're searching for what time are the football games today, you’re probably already planning your weekend. Here is the confirmed NFL schedule for the Divisional Round so you don't have to look it up later.
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On Saturday, January 17, the Buffalo Bills visit the Denver Broncos at 4:30 PM ET. Immediately after, the San Francisco 49ers head to Seattle for an 8:00 PM ET kickoff on FOX. That 49ers-Seahawks game is going to be brutal; divisional rivals in a playoff setting is always a recipe for a 15-yard penalty or three.
Sunday, January 18, gives us the Houston Texans at the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET on ABC. The nightcap is the Los Angeles Rams at the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET on NBC. Chicago in January? Good luck to the Rams' Southern California bones.
Your Wednesday Football Checklist
Since there's no NFL tonight, use today to get your ducks in a row for the National Championship and the Divisional playoffs.
- Check your subscriptions. Make sure your streaming apps for beIN or ESPN+ are active if you want to see the AFCON or Carabao Cup games.
- Track the Draft declarations. By tonight, we will know exactly what the 2026 NFL Draft pool looks like.
- Set your DVR. If you're working during the 3:00 PM ET soccer kickoffs, get those recordings set now.
The mid-week gap is always a bit of a grind for football junkies, but the international slate today is more than enough to keep things interesting. Whether it's Chelsea and Arsenal fighting for a trophy or Senegal trying to prove they're still the kings of Africa, there's plenty of grass-stained drama to go around.
Grab your remote, flip over to the international channels, and enjoy the variety before the NFL takes over your life again this Saturday.