So, you’re looking for the game. Honestly, there is nothing more frustrating than scrolling through ten different "official" apps just to figure out if you have enough time to grab a burger before kickoff. It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026, and if you’re asking what time does the usa play today, the answer depends entirely on which jersey you’re planning to wear.
While the Men's National Soccer Team (USMNT) is currently in a bit of a quiet period—thanks to the federation finally ditching those grueling January camps in favor of a December schedule—there is actually a massive "USA" game happening today. It’s a gold medal showdown.
The Big Ticket: Team USA vs. Canada (U18 Women’s World Championship)
If you care about American dominance on the ice, this is the one. The U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team is playing for the gold medal today against their eternal rivals, Canada. This isn't just a game; it's the 18th time these two programs have met in the final out of 19 tournaments.
- Puck Drop: 6:30 PM ET
- Where to Watch: NHL Network
- Location: Sydney, Nova Scotia
The Americans are coming off a massive 9-1 win against Sweden in the semis. Maggie Daley, the name you're going to hear a lot today, just broke the single-tournament goals record. If you’ve got a couple of hours tonight, this is where the real "USA" action is. They’ve won nine of these titles before, and honestly, after losing to Canada in the 2025 final, the vibes in the locker room are probably pretty intense.
Is There a USMNT or USWNT Soccer Match Today?
Short answer: No.
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I know, it’s a bummer. Usually, mid-January is "January Camp" season for the Men’s team, where we get to see all the MLS-based youngsters get their first caps. But U.S. Soccer changed the calendar for 2026. Because the World Cup is literally months away (starting June 12!), the federation decided to skip the January friendlies this year.
However, the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) is actually in camp right now. Emma Hayes has the squad in Southern California, but their first actual match isn't until next Saturday, January 24, against Paraguay at Dignity Health Sports Park.
If you are a hardcore soccer fan, you can still catch "USA" related action on TV. The Premier League has a doubleheader on USA Network today:
- 9:00 AM ET: Newcastle vs. Wolves
- 11:30 AM ET: Everton vs. Aston Villa
What About Basketball?
There isn't a senior National Team game today—the Olympics and World Cups are still a ways off. But if you’re looking for "USA" on the schedule, the USA Basketball developmental circles are mostly focused on the college and pro ranks right now.
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There were rumors of an NBA London game for today, but for most fans, the "big" basketball is the NCAA slate. You’ve got Penn State at Maryland at noon on BTN and Arizona State at Houston at 6:30 PM.
The NFL Divisional Round Shadow
Let’s be real. Most people asking what time does the usa play today are probably looking for the biggest games on American soil, which happen to be the NFL Playoffs.
If you’re looking for the schedule to plan your day:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 PM ET (ABC/ESPN). Watching C.J. Stroud go up against Drake Maye in a playoff atmosphere is basically the most "American" thing you can do today.
- LA Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 PM ET (NBC/Peacock). Caleb Williams in a home playoff game at Soldier Field? That’s going to be loud.
Why This Schedule Matters
The 2026 sports calendar is weirdly compressed because of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. We’re seeing a lot of "off-cycle" training for national teams. The USMNT won't play their next high-profile friendlies until March (against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta), so today is really about the youth national teams and the domestic leagues.
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It’s easy to get confused when every sports app has a different "USA" listed. Some are referring to the USA Network channel, some to "Team USA" (the national teams), and some to domestic college teams like "USA" (University of South Alabama). For today, January 18, 2026, the only "Team USA" with a major broadcast game is the U18 Women's Hockey team.
Your Action Plan for Today
If you want to support the red, white, and blue, here is how you should spend your Sunday:
- Now until 3 PM: Catch up on the Australian Open (ESPN2) or the Premier League (USA Network).
- 3:00 PM: Pivot to the NFL Divisional Round for the Texans/Pats game.
- 6:30 PM: This is the conflict. You’ve got the USA vs. Canada Gold Medal Hockey Game on NHL Network and the Bears vs. Rams on NBC.
My advice? Double-screen it. The hockey game is for a world championship, and the rivalry with Canada is arguably the best in all of sports. Watch the first two periods of hockey, flip to the NFL during the intermissions, and make sure you're locked in for the third period around 8:15 PM ET.
Keep an eye out for the USWNT roster news this week as they prep for that Paraguay match. If you want to see the next generation of stars, that January 24 game is the one to circle on your calendar.