The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 has moved into the knockout stage, starting with the round of 16 matches. Top teams like Senegal and Morocco are set to play against lower-ranked teams, while Mali goes up against Tunisia, and South Africa faces Cameroon.
Key Facts
The AFCON round of 16 begins on January 3, 2025.
Senegal will play against Sudan on January 3 in Tangier.
Mali will face Tunisia on January 3 in Casablanca.
Hosts Morocco will meet Tanzania on January 4 in Rabat.
South Africa will play against Cameroon on January 4 in Rabat.
Sudan's qualification to the last 16 is significant due to ongoing conflict in the country.
Morocco is ranked 11th in the world and aims for their second AFCON title.
Achraf Hakimi returns for Morocco after an ankle injury.
The Philadelphia Phillies are thinking about trading outfielder Nick Castellanos, who had a tough season. The Colorado Rockies might be a good team to trade him to because they have room in their budget and need experienced players.
Key Facts
The Phillies want to reduce their spending to maintain future success.
Nick Castellanos is involved in trade rumors due to a large contract and poor performance.
His performance was measured using a stat called "WAR" (Wins Above Replacement), which was negative.
Bleacher Report suggested the Rockies as a suitable trade partner for Castellanos.
The Rockies had a difficult season, losing 119 games and need veteran players to improve.
Colorado has a lower payroll, making it easier for them to take on Castellanos' contract.
Castellanos might perform better at Coors Field, which is known to favor hitters.
Nic Enright, a relief pitcher who posted a 2.03 ERA for the Cleveland Guardians, signed a two-year minor-league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite overcoming Hodgkin's lymphoma and making his major league debut, Enright will miss the upcoming season due to Tommy John surgery.
Key Facts
Nic Enright had a 2.03 Earned Run Average (ERA) with the Cleveland Guardians.
He overcame Hodgkin's lymphoma to make his major league debut.
Enright needs Tommy John surgery for a torn UCL, which will sideline him for the entire upcoming season.
The Cleveland Guardians designated Enright for assignment since he can't play next season.
Enright signed a two-year minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
He is expected to rehab and potentially return to pitching by early 2027.
Enright was previously selected by the Miami Marlins in a draft but returned to the Guardians.
DraftKings offers a special promotion where new users can bet $5 on selected New Year's Day sports games to receive $200 in bonus bets. The games include College Football Playoff and NBA matchups. Users must register, place a qualifying bet, and follow specific steps to take advantage of this offer.
Key Facts
DraftKings is offering a $200 bonus for a $5 bet on New Year's Day sports games.
The promotion applies to both College Football Playoff and NBA games.
Key college football games include Oregon vs. Texas Tech, Alabama vs. Indiana, and Ole Miss vs. Georgia.
NBA game options for betting include matchups like Heat vs. Pistons and 76ers vs. Mavericks.
Users must register on the DraftKings app and place a bet on markets with odds of -500 or longer.
The $200 bonus bets must be used within seven days after they are awarded.
Users need to complete account registration with personal information and a deposit.
Newsweek may earn a commission from sign-ups made through links in the article.
Brennan Johnson plans to meet with Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner to discuss a possible transfer from Tottenham. The £35 million deal is expected to go through if both parties agree on Johnson's role and the team's goals.
Key Facts
Brennan Johnson is a 24-year-old forward playing for Tottenham.
Crystal Palace wants to sign Johnson for £35 million.
Johnson will meet Palace's manager, Oliver Glasner, on Thursday.
The meeting will focus on Johnson's role in the team and the club's future plans.
If discussions go well, Johnson could join Crystal Palace shortly.
Johnson was Tottenham's top scorer last season with 18 goals.
Tottenham's current manager, Thomas Frank, does not see Johnson in the team's long-term plans.
Ohio State lost to Miami in the Cotton Bowl, which ended their chances in the College Football Playoff. Following the loss, Ohio State's second-string quarterback, Lincoln Kienholz, decided to enter the transfer portal. Kienholz, who was competing for the starting position, wants more playing time to pursue a career in the NFL.
Key Facts
Ohio State Buckeyes lost to Miami Hurricanes 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl.
This loss eliminated Ohio State from the College Football Playoff.
Lincoln Kienholz, the backup quarterback, has entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Kienholz played as a backup to starting quarterback Julian Sayin.
Sayin secured the starting position and is a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Kienholz has played in 12 games over three years with Ohio State.
His decision to transfer is motivated by his goal to play in the NFL.
The article explains a promotional offer from Bet365, a sports betting company, where users can claim a $150 bonus or a $1,000 bet safety net for betting on College Football Playoff and NBA games. The promotion allows users to choose their preferred bonus after placing an initial bet. The article also details how to register and use these offers.
Key Facts
Bet365 offers a bonus for sports betting using the code WEEK365.
Users can choose between a $150 bonus or a $1,000 bet safety net.
The $150 bonus is activated with a $5 bet, regardless of the bet outcome.
The $1,000 bet safety net allows users to bet up to $1,000; if the bet loses, they get a bonus refund.
Bet365 offers bets on the College Football Playoff and NBA games, with a total of eight matchups to choose from.
Users can also take advantage of bet boosts for specific games to enhance their potential winnings.
New users must register with Bet365 and enter identifying information to be eligible for the bonuses.
Newsweek might receive a commission if users sign up for Bet365 using their links.
Betr is offering a promo code through Newsweek, allowing users to receive up to $210 in bonuses for daily fantasy sports betting. This promotion applies to NBA games and College Football Playoff games. Users can receive bonuses by registering, entering the promo code, and making a deposit.
Key Facts
Betr offers up to $210 in bonuses with the promo code NEWSWEEK.
The offer includes $10 immediately and up to $200 more with a 50% deposit match.
NBA games available for betting include matchups like Rockets-Nets and Celtics-Kings.
College Football Playoff games include Oregon vs. Texas Tech and Ole Miss vs. Georgia.
Users need to register and enter personal information to access the bonuses.
Bets can be placed on player performance metrics, such as passing yards or rushing yards.
The promotion is part of a collaboration between Betr and Newsweek, with affiliate commissions for Newsweek through signup links.
Oregon Ducks and Texas Tech Red Raiders will face off at the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens on January 1, 2026, as part of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Both teams have a 12-1 record, with Oregon known for its strong offense and Texas Tech for its strong defense. The winning team advances to the Peach Bowl semifinal.
Key Facts
Oregon Ducks and Texas Tech Red Raiders play in the Orange Bowl on January 1, 2026.
The game is a part of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Oregon has a record of 12-1 and is known for a high-scoring offense.
Texas Tech also has a 12-1 record and is known for a strong defense.
Oregon's quarterback, Dante Moore, has thrown over 3,000 yards this season.
Texas Tech is making its first College Football Playoff appearance.
The winning team will move on to the Peach Bowl semifinal.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN and available for live streaming via Fubo.
An article describes a promotion where people can sign up for a sports betting account using the ESPN BET promo code NEWSWEEK. By placing a $10 bet on college football playoff games, users have the chance to win $100 in bonus bets. The article also provides details on how to register and offers suggestions on which games to bet on.
Key Facts
ESPN BET has rebranded to theScore Bet, but the promotion offer remains the same.
Users can bet $10 on College Football Playoff games to win $100 in bonus bets, provided they win their initial bet.
College Football Playoff games mentioned include Oregon vs. Texas Tech, Alabama vs. Indiana, and Ole Miss vs. Georgia.
The article outlines alternative betting options like Texas Tech +12.5 spread and Indiana +2.5 spread.
To sign up, users need to enter the promo code NEWSWEEK and provide basic personal details.
A $10 deposit is required to activate the offer, which can be made using various payment methods.
Bonus bets, if won, must be used within one week before they expire.
The Miami Hurricanes beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Miami's strong defense and offense helped them secure the win and advance to the semifinals.
Key Facts
Miami Hurricanes won against Ohio State 24-14.
Miami scored first and later added a pick-six, taking a 14-0 lead at halftime.
Ohio State scored more points in the second half but could not overcome Miami's strong performance.
Legendary coach Nick Saban praised Miami for their competitive play.
Miami has also won against Texas A&M to reach the semifinals.
Miami will face the winner of the game between Ole Miss and Georgia in the semifinals.
Ohio State lost to Miami in the Cotton Bowl, with Miami winning 24-14. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin threw for 287 yards but made crucial mistakes. Coach Ryan Day believes Sayin has a bright future despite his inexperience.
Key Facts
Ohio State lost to Miami in the Cotton Bowl, 24-14.
Miami led 14-0 at halftime and maintained their lead throughout the game.
Julian Sayin, a Heisman hopeful, threw for 287 yards and one touchdown but made mistakes, including two interceptions.
Sayin was sacked five times during the game.
After the game, Coach Ryan Day said that Sayin has potential despite not having much experience.
Day expressed that inexperience was a factor in Sayin's performance during the game.
Coach Day believes Sayin will improve and return stronger next season.
The NCAA transfer portal for college football opens for a two-week period, allowing student-athletes to switch schools. LSU, led by head coach Lane Kiffin, plans to be active in recruiting new players through the portal, aiming to build a strong team for the 2026 season.
Key Facts
The NCAA transfer portal opens at 12 a.m. ET for a two-week period.
LSU aims to strengthen its team for the 2026 season.
Lane Kiffin is the new head coach of LSU.
Kiffin is known for being an effective recruiter of players.
The transfer portal works like free agency, allowing players to move between schools.
LSU's Tigers are linked to several top players expected to enter the portal.
The College Football Playoff is happening around the same time.
Jarred Kelenic, a baseball player who was once a top prospect, has signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox. His career has seen ups and downs, and he is hoping to prove himself with this new opportunity.
Key Facts
Jarred Kelenic was rated the No. 4 prospect in baseball before the 2021 season.
He made his major league debut in 2021 but moved between major and minor leagues.
Kelenic played with the Atlanta Braves last season but then chose free agency.
He has signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago White Sox for the upcoming season.
Kelenic was the sixth-overall pick in the 2018 draft by the New York Mets.
His career has been inconsistent, partly due to injuries like a fractured foot in 2023.
Kelenic's hitting performance in the major leagues has been below average.
The White Sox are a young team that could provide Kelenic with a chance to secure a stable major league role.
Mitchell Starc is performing exceptionally in the 2025-26 Ashes cricket series, taking 26 wickets in the series so far. He has surpassed other notable bowlers on the all-time Test wicket-takers list, becoming the most successful left-arm pace bowler in Test history. Starc's career is noted for its durability and his ability to evolve as a player.
Key Facts
Mitchell Starc has taken 26 wickets in the 2025-26 Ashes series.
He is leading in wickets for this series, averaging 17.42 per wicket.
Starc has surpassed Wasim Akram as the most successful left-arm pace bowler in Test cricket history.
This series marks his seventh Ashes series.
Starc is the oldest member of Australia's top pace trio, along with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood.
He hopes to continue playing at least until the 2027 Ashes series in England.
Starc is close to joining an elite group of pace bowlers aiming for 500 Test wickets.
The article discusses several football players looking forward to a successful 2026. It highlights moves between clubs, aspirations for international tournaments, and individual goals for the players' careers.
Key Facts
Antoine Semenyo, a Bournemouth player, is close to joining Manchester City after a £65 million release clause was activated.
Semenyo is the third top scorer in the Premier League this season with nine goals and three assists.
Troy Parrott, a striker for AZ Alkmaar, helped Ireland reach the World Cup play-offs with five international goals.
Parrott has scored 16 goals in 22 games for AZ and might move to a major European league.
Nico O'Reilly, a Manchester City player, hopes to join the England World Cup squad by playing left-back.
French teenager Eli Junior Kroupi started strong in the Premier League with five goals but is looking to maintain his form.
Harvey Elliott moved on loan from Liverpool to Aston Villa but has not played since October and faces challenges getting into the team lineup.
Framber Valdez, a top pitcher who played for the Houston Astros, is currently a free agent. The New York Mets are predicted to sign him for a five-year, $160 million deal, as they seek to strengthen their starting rotation.
Key Facts
Framber Valdez is currently a free agent after playing for the Houston Astros.
He is considered the top pitcher available in the free agent market.
The New York Mets are reportedly interested in signing Valdez.
A sports staff predicts Valdez will sign a five-year contract worth $160 million with the Mets.
The Mets need more starting pitchers to improve their team performance.
The Mets are exploring various options, including trades and free-agent signings.
Dylan Cease recently signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, increasing the Mets' interest in Valdez.
The St. Louis Cardinals are in a rebuilding phase and have traded two of their players to the Boston Red Sox for prospects. A sports writer suggested that Brendan Donovan could be a potential trade option for the San Francisco Giants due to his versatility on the field.
Key Facts
The St. Louis Cardinals are starting a rebuild.
They traded Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox.
The trades were made in exchange for several young prospects.
Brendan Donovan is a versatile player who can play multiple positions.
Donovan can play in both the infield and outfield.
The San Francisco Giants are considered a potential team to trade for Donovan.
Donovan's hitting ability makes him a valuable player in any spot of the lineup.
The Cardinals are likely to ask for a high return in any trade for Donovan.
Alex Bregman is a top baseball player who might sign a five-year deal worth $155 million with the Boston Red Sox. He's a free agent, and other teams like the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and New York Yankees are interested in him too. Bregman is known for his leadership and is seen as a good fit for the Red Sox since they have extra money to spend after trading another player.
Key Facts
Alex Bregman might sign a five-year, $155 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Bregman is a free agent and several teams are interested in him, including the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and New York Yankees.
Bregman will be 32 years old at the start of the season.
He is seen as a strong leader for the team.
The Red Sox have extra money available after trading Rafael Devers.
Bregman is viewed as a good option for the third base position, also known as the "hot corner."
The Red Sox are also interested in Bo Bichette, but signing him is unlikely.
Brazilian soccer player Roberto Carlos is recovering well after a medical procedure he described as preventative. He clarified that he did not suffer a heart attack, and he thanked medical staff and supporters for their care and well wishes.
Key Facts
Roberto Carlos is a former Brazilian and Real Madrid soccer player.
He recently had a medical procedure that he says was planned in advance.
Carlos confirmed he did not have a heart attack.
He is recovering well and looking forward to returning to his activities soon.
Carlos expressed gratitude for the support from fans and his medical team.
He is well-known for his time with Real Madrid and winning the World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
