Global Kickoff Alert: A Saturday of Big Matches, Big Channels, and Even Bigger Narratives
2 January 2026
Today’s football calendar is bursting with marquee clashes across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, promising a day of high-stakes action and plenty to talk about after the final whistle.
Across the continental stage, eyes turn to AFCON’s Round of 16, while in club football fans will follow the Saudi Pro League, Serie A, the Premier League, and La Liga as the day unfolds. If you blink, you might miss a wonder strike or a dramatic stoppage-time decision, because that’s football in peak form—and yes, we’ll still pretend VAR isn’t invited to every party.
In Saudi Arabia, the Roshen League heats up with Fath vs. Shabab and Al-Fayha hosting Al-Kholood, while Al-Ittihad squares off with Al-Taawoun in a much-anticipated derby. On the European side, Atalanta host Roma in Italy, Juventus take on Lecce, and in England, Arsenal travel to Bournemouth as the title race (and the mid-season drama) continues. Spain’s La Liga features a compelling El Clasico-adjacent slate with Espanyol and Barcelona among the day’s highlights.
Today’s report from Kooora provides a concise overview of the day’s fixtures, the official channels carrying each match, and the commentators you’ll hear calling the action. It’s your one-stop guide to where to watch and what to expect, with a few practical tips for fans watching from abroad.
Broadcast channels for Saturday’s matches
BeIN SPORTS remains the go-to broadcaster for AFCON action, while Tod TV is highlighted as a partner for live streaming enthusiasts. In Saudi Arabia, the Eight app is the local route for Roshen League games, and stc TV is shown as the pick for Italian Serie A in many markets. NordVPN is mentioned as a practical option for fans abroad who want to access local streams, and there are several extra viewing avenues listed for those seeking “watch from anywhere” options.
Additional channels and streaming options appear throughout the day, including regional providers and official broadcaster links that accompany matchday specifics. The article also notes that a full compatibility table with associated commentary is available within the piece, making it easy to know who’s on the mic for every fixture.
For those exploring alternatives, the piece includes a section on other watch-together options and a reminder to check official broadcaster pages for the latest updates, as schedules can shift in real time due to league decisions or regulatory changes.
Saturday fixtures by league
AFCON — Round of 16 features Senegal vs Sudan at 17:00 (Morocco time) / 18:00 (Egypt time) with beIN SPORTS Max 1 and commentary by Hassan Al-Aydrus, followed by Mali vs Tunisia at 20:00 / 21:00 with the beIN SPORTS Max 1 team led by Essam Al-Shawali.
Saudi Pro League — Week 13 showcases Al-Fath vs. Al-Shabab at 16:10 (Saudi) / 17:10 (UAE) on Eight 1, and Al-Fayha hosting Al-Kholood at 17:55 / 18:55 on Eight 2, with Khalid Al-Mudafir and Saad Yahya among the announcers. The derby between Al-Ittihad and Al-Taawoun kicks off at 20:30 / 21:30 on Eight 1, with Fares Awad on the call.
Italy — Serie A’s late-afternoon slate includes Como vs. Udinese at 14:30 (Saudi) / 15:30 (UAE) on STC TV; Genoa vs. Pisa at 17:00 / 18:00, Sassuolo vs. Parma at 20:00 / 21:00, Juventus vs. Lecce at 20:00 / 21:00, and Atalanta vs. Roma at 22:45 / 23:45, all broadcast on STC TV where available.
England — Premier League matchups list Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest at 15:30 / 16:30, Brighton vs. Burnley at 18:00 / 19:00, Wolverhampton vs. West Ham at 18:00 / 19:00, and Bournemouth vs. Arsenal at 20:30 / 21:30; beIN SPORTS 1 and beIN SPORTS 2 feature for different time zones with a range of English commentators.
Spain — La Liga’s Saturday card includes Celta Vigo vs. Valencia at 16:00 / 17:00, Osasuna vs. Athletic Bilbao at 18:15 / 19:15, Elche vs. Villarreal at 20:30 / 21:30, and Espanyol vs. Barcelona at 23:00 / 00:00, with beIN SPORTS 3 and beIN SPORTS 1 covering key matches and notable analysts on the mic.
France — Ligue 1’s week 17 slate features Monaco vs. Lyon at 19:00 / 20:00, Nice vs. Strasbourg at 21:00 / 22:00, and Lille vs. Rennes at 23:15 / 00:15, broadcast on beIN SPORTS 4 and beIN SPORTS 5 with standard French football commentators on duty.
For the complete list, the article links to a full schedule, inviting readers to “read the full table here” for the most up-to-date matchups and broadcast details.
“If you’re chasing every kickoff, remember: your sofa is the most loyal stadium you own.” And if that sofa could talk, it would probably say, “Stop asking me for snacks and start applauding—goal!”
