BKA FTE has won the first competition of 2026.
Day: January 25, 2026
Football fans across the globe are buzzing today following a dramatic weekend of action, highlighted by a stunning upset in the Bundesliga that saw champions Bayern Munich suffer their first league defeat since March. Meanwhile, the January transfer window continues to heat up, with major speculation surrounding La Liga contenders Atletico Madrid and their pursuit of high-profile attacking talent. As teams jostle for position and reinforce their squads, the landscape of European and global football is constantly shifting, promising an exciting conclusion to the 2025/2026 season.
Bundesliga’s Biggest Upset: Augsburg Stuns Bayern Munich
The most significant match result from the last round undoubtedly comes from Germany, where FC Augsburg delivered a monumental shock by defeating Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich 2-1 on Saturday, January 24, 2026. This unexpected outcome brought an abrupt end to Bayern’s remarkable 27-match unbeaten run in the league, a streak that had stretched back to March of the previous year. The Allianz Arena faithful, accustomed to seeing their team dominate, witnessed a resilient Augsburg side pull off a memorable victory that will resonate throughout the Bundesliga.
The match began with Bayern Munich, under the guidance of Vincent Kompany, taking an early lead in the 23rd minute. Japanese international Hiroki Ito found the back of the net, heading in a well-placed inswinging corner from Michael Olise. This goal seemed to set the Bavarians on course for another routine win, despite a “below-par performance” noted by some observers. Bayern continued to press, with Luis Diaz and Lennart Karl both having opportunities to extend the lead, but failed to convert. Augsburg, however, showed glimpses of their intent, with Robin Fellhauer striking the upright just before halftime, a warning shot that Bayern failed to heed.
The second half saw a dramatic turnaround. Augsburg capitalized on Bayern’s complacency, punishing them for what was described as “going through the motions” after the interval. The equalizer arrived in the 75th minute when Arthur Chaves headed into an unguarded net following a Mert Komur corner that Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig failed to collect cleanly. The momentum had clearly shifted, and Augsburg seized the opportunity. Just six minutes later, in the 81st minute, Han-Noah Massengo completed the stunning comeback, finishing a simple chance from close range after being teed up by Dimitrios Giannoulis. Despite a late curling effort from Michael Olise that crashed against the crossbar, Bayern could not salvage a point, succumbing to their first league defeat since March. This result not only provides a massive boost to Augsburg but also injects a new level of excitement into the Bundesliga title race.
Other notable results from the weekend included Como’s emphatic 6-0 victory over Torino in Serie A, with Anastasios Douvikas bagging a brace, propelling Como to fifth place in the standings. In the Premier League, Bournemouth secured a thrilling 3-2 home win against Liverpool, with Amine Adli scoring a dramatic late winner, further complicating Liverpool’s title aspirations and extending their winless league run to five matches. In La Liga, Real Madrid climbed to the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Villarreal, courtesy of a brace from Kylian Mbappé.
Transfer Talk: Atletico Madrid Targets Premier League and Saudi Stars
As the January transfer window progresses, clubs are actively seeking to strengthen their squads for the remainder of the season. One of the most significant transfer rumors currently dominating headlines involves La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, who are reportedly eyeing two high-profile attacking players: Marco Asensio and Darwin Nunez.
According to reports, Atletico Madrid could be one of the busiest La Liga sides this January as Diego Simeone’s team aims to keep pace with Barcelona in the title race. The potential acquisition of Marco Asensio, currently at Fenerbahce, would be a major coup. Asensio only made a summer move to Fenerbahce from Paris Saint-Germain for approximately £6.5 million. However, the three-time Champions League winner has been in sensational form in the 2025/26 Super Lig campaign, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 13 appearances. While a quick departure from Fenerbahce might seem unlikely, the financial allure of a top La Liga club could prove decisive, especially if Atletico faces potential major exits of their own, such as Koke or Antoine Griezmann, who are reportedly being eyed by Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
Adding to the attacking speculation, Atletico Madrid is also reportedly interested in former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, who is currently plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal. Nunez moved to Al-Hilal from Liverpool in the summer for a fee in the region of £46 million and has quickly settled, scoring five goals in 11 matches across all competitions this season. A move for Nunez would further bolster Atletico’s attacking department, providing another potent option for Simeone’s side.
In the Bundesliga, while many smaller transfers and loan deals have been confirmed, and the transfer window is officially open until February 2, 2026, for ins and outs, no singular blockbuster deal or dominating rumor for a top club has emerged with the same prominence as the Atletico Madrid links. Borussia Mönchengladbach, for instance, has several outgoing transfer rumors, notably concerning Luca Netz whose contract is expiring, and experienced midfielder Kevin Stöger. Darmstadt 98 recently secured Niklas Schmidt on loan from Toulouse. Meanwhile, Real Madrid, despite their position at the top of La Liga, are reportedly taking a “measured” approach to the January window, with any major moves likely being reserved for the summer, particularly in their long-standing pursuit of Kylian Mbappé.
The football world remains captivated by both the thrilling action on the pitch and the strategic moves behind the scenes. As January draws to a close, more surprises are undoubtedly in store for fans across the globe.
The past seven days in the world of football have been nothing short of captivating, marked by a dramatic continental final, significant injury crises impacting top European clubs, and major developments surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. From the controversial conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations to the bustling January transfer window, football enthusiasts have had plenty to discuss as teams battle for supremacy and prepare for future challenges.
FIFA: World Cup 2026 Preparations and Commercial Ventures
Preparations for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are gaining momentum, with FIFA introducing new initiatives and outlining the tournament’s monumental economic impact. In a move to streamline fan travel, FIFA has launched the “FIFA Pass” system, designed to assist supporters from qualified nations with faster visa appointments to the host countries. This system, announced by US President Donald Trump in November, aims to ease the logistical hurdles for international attendees, though the US State Department has clarified that the pass does not guarantee a visa, and all applicants must still meet security and visa requirements. Fans from countries within the US visa waiver program, including many European nations, the UK, Japan, and Australia, are exempt from needing a FIFA Pass and can travel using an ESTA.
Further highlighting the scale of the upcoming tournament, FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently detailed the expected economic impact of the 2026 World Cup, projecting it to reach approximately $80 billion. This colossal event is anticipated to generate around 825,000 jobs and contribute over $20 billion in wages across the three host nations. Infantino also underscored the unprecedented global interest, revealing that the first phase of ticket sales alone garnered over 500 million requests, a staggering figure compared to the roughly 50 million tickets sold throughout the entire history of the World Cup.
In a notable commercial development, FIFA has deepened its ties with the betting industry through a four-year agreement with data provider Stats Perform. This partnership, running through 2029, will see Stats Perform distribute official betting data and livestreams for most FIFA competitions to licensed sports betting operators. The deal also grants exclusive betting rights to thousands of matches across FIFA Member Association competitions powered by FIFA+. This move signifies a significant expansion of FIFA’s commercial reach into the sports betting market, despite its existing code of ethics prohibiting players and officials from participating in football-related betting activities.
Africa: Senegal Crowned AFCON Champions Amidst Controversy
The football world witnessed a dramatic conclusion to the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, where Senegal emerged victorious, defeating host nation Morocco 1-0 in a chaotic final held on January 18, 2026. The decisive goal came in extra time from Pape Gueye, securing Senegal’s second AFCON title. However, the match was marred by significant controversy in the dying moments of regular time. Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest after a penalty decision was awarded to Morocco. After a 14-minute stoppage, play resumed, and Morocco’s Brahim Díaz took the penalty, only for Senegal’s goalkeeper Édouard Mendy to easily save a poorly executed Panenka attempt. Many online fans speculated that Díaz might have intentionally taken a weak penalty in solidarity with Senegal due to the controversial call.
Earlier in the tournament, Nigeria secured the bronze medal by defeating Egypt in the third-place play-off match in Casablanca. The Super Eagles’ victory capped a strong campaign, adding to the continent’s rich football narrative.
Asia: Futsal Championships and League Struggles
Asian football news has been dominated by upcoming futsal tournaments and the ongoing struggles of Chinese clubs in continental competitions. The AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 is set to kick off on January 27, 2026, in Jakarta, featuring 16 teams vying for glory. Afghanistan’s national futsal team is actively preparing for this prestigious event, having departed Kabul for Vietnam to play two friendly matches against the host nation. Following their time in Vietnam, the Afghan squad is scheduled to travel to Thailand for further training and two additional friendly matches against the Thai national futsal team, all part of their build-up to the Asian Cup where they are drawn in Group C alongside Iran, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the draw for the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup (ASEAN Football Championship) took place on January 15, 2026. Singapore’s national team, the Lions, were drawn into Group A, where they will face defending champions Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and the winner of a playoff between Brunei and Timor-Leste. Group B features Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos. This biennial regional tournament is scheduled to run from July 24 to August 26, 2026, with group-stage matches played on a home-and-away single round-robin basis.
On the club front, Chinese teams are experiencing significant difficulties in the AFC Champions League Elite. As the year ended, Shanghai Port, Shanghai Shenhua, and Chengdu Rongcheng occupied the bottom three places in their respective groups, with a combined total of just two wins from 18 games. Shanghai Port, despite winning the last three Chinese Super League titles, sits at the bottom of its group without a single victory, a disappointing performance that has drawn criticism for coach Kevin Muscat, whose impressive resume is otherwise marked by championships in Australia, Japan, and China. This poor showing highlights a growing gap between Chinese clubs and their regional rivals.
Europe: Transfer Market Activity and Injury Concerns
The January transfer window has been buzzing with activity across Europe’s top leagues, alongside significant injury updates for several prominent clubs. While no single overarching “European” story dominated outside the major leagues, the cumulative impact of transfers and injuries is a key theme.
Premier League: Liverpool’s Injury Woes and Transfer Rumours Heat Up
The Premier League has seen its fair share of drama, with Liverpool facing a deepening injury crisis that has prompted manager Arne Slot to temper expectations for January transfer window signings. Key players such as Alexander Isak, who sustained a fibula fracture, Giovanni Leoni, out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and Conor Bradley, sidelined with a long-term knee issue, have all contributed to a depleted squad. Despite these setbacks, Slot indicated that the club would remain vigilant for potential opportunities to strengthen the squad in the remaining days of the window.
Adding to Liverpool’s potential headaches are rumors surrounding defender Andrew Robertson and a possible move to Tottenham Hotspur. Reports suggest that the Scottish international, whose contract with Liverpool is entering its final six months, has reached a verbal agreement with Thomas Frank’s side. While talks between the clubs are ongoing to reach a financial compromise, Liverpool faces the dilemma of potentially losing an experienced trophy winner mid-season for a nominal fee, or risking him leaving on a free transfer in the summer. The Reds could reportedly recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan spell at Roma if Robertson departs.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur themselves have been hit by a fresh injury blow, with teenage midfielder Lucas Bergvall undergoing surgery for a high sprain to his left ankle. The 19-year-old is expected to miss close to two months, further exacerbating Spurs’ midfield crisis which already includes Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring surgery), James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski (both recovering from knee operations). This string of injuries has left manager Thomas Frank with limited options in the engine room as his side attempts to climb the league table.
In other transfer news, Manchester City has completed the signing of defender Marc Guehi. This acquisition comes at a crucial time for Pep Guardiola’s side, who have also been grappling with defensive injuries to key players Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
La Liga: Barcelona’s Dominance and Defensive Concerns
In Spain, FC Barcelona continued their strong run of form, securing a 2-0 victory over local rivals Espanyol in the Catalan derby on January 4, 2026. Goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski sealed the win at the RCDE Stadium, solidifying Barcelona’s position at the top of La Liga with 49 points, a comfortable seven-point lead over Real Madrid, who have a game in hand. This victory marked Barcelona’s ninth consecutive win in La Liga, matching manager Hansi Flick’s best league streak.
However, Barcelona’s positive momentum is tempered by a significant injury to defender Andreas Christensen, who is expected to be sidelined for up to four months with a knee injury. This long-term absence, coupled with Ronald Araujo also being unavailable, has prompted the club to consider bringing in a quality defender during the January transfer window, with a versatile, left-footed player being the priority. On a more positive note, midfielder Dani Olmo, who suffered a dislocated shoulder earlier in the season, is reportedly set to return for Barcelona’s first match of 2026, the derby against Espanyol.
Rival club Real Madrid is also dealing with a high-profile injury, with star forward Kylian Mbappé missing their recent match against Betis. Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann has also reportedly suffered an injury.
Serie A: Key Injuries Impacting Title Contenders
Italy’s Serie A has seen several top clubs grappling with significant injury concerns. AC Milan is reportedly fearing that Germany international Niclas Fullkrug has suffered a broken toe, an injury that could rule him out for up to a month and impact crucial upcoming matches against Como and Lecce. While there’s a slim hope for his return by January 25 against Roma, a longer recovery period is being considered.
Elsewhere, Bologna has confirmed that defender Jhon Lucumi will be sidelined for approximately three to four weeks due to a low-grade femoral bicep injury sustained during their recent draw with Como. This setback comes as Inter Milan awaits the results of medical tests on midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, who was forced off with a calf injury during their 2-2 draw with Napoli. These injuries could prove pivotal in the tightly contested Serie A title race.
A number of other players across the league are also facing spells on the sidelines, including Alexis Saelemaekers (Milan, thigh), Santiago Gimenez (Milan, ankle), Alvaro Morata (Como, groin), Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli, muscle), and Matteo Politano (Napoli, thigh), highlighting a challenging period for many Italian clubs. Minor transfer movements have also occurred, with players like Branco van den Boomen moving from Ajax to Angers on loan, and Ibrahim Sulemana completing a loan move from Atalanta to Cagliari.
Bundesliga: Bayern and Leverkusen Hit Hard by Injuries
The German Bundesliga has been particularly affected by a wave of injuries, impacting some of its leading clubs. Bayer Leverkusen has been dealt a major blow, losing two key players from their squad following their Bundesliga Matchday 18 clash against Hoffenheim. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken and Nigerian winger Nathan Tella both sustained injuries and are expected to be unavailable for a significant period. Flekken was forced off in the 60th minute, while Tella, who came on as a substitute in the 74th minute, lasted only seven minutes before requiring a forced substitution due to injury.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund will be without key defensive figures for their upcoming match against Union Berlin on January 24. Defender Niklas Süle has been ruled out due to back problems, and Marcel Sabitzer remains sidelined with a calf injury. These absences add to Dortmund’s concerns as they aim to secure crucial points on the road.
Bayern Munich is facing an extensive injury crisis, particularly in their right-back position. Konrad Laimer suffered a torn muscle fiber in his left calf, Josip Stanišić is dealing with a capsular injury that will keep him out for weeks, and Sacha Boey is sidelined with illness. Midfield maestro Joshua Kimmich is also recovering from ankle problems sustained in November. Furthermore, Jamal Musiala remains out with a broken fibula sustained last summer, and Alphonso Davies is sidelined with illness, though he recently recovered from an ACL injury. On a more positive note for Bayern, veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is expected to return to action for their first competitive match of 2026 against Wolfsburg after recovering from a muscle injury.
