Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

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UPCOMING

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SOC--FA CUP DRAW

DESCRIPTION: LONDON - Draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup. UPCOMING: 200 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/12/2026 2:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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CAR--NASCAR-CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

DESCRIPTION: After studying the topic for nearly two years, NASCAR overhauls its championship-crowning format. The stock car series is expected to go back to a version of the postseason that gives a lot of emphasis to winning races. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. Announcement expected at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. 700 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/12/2026 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: LIVERPOOL, England - Liverpool hosts third-tier Barnsley in the third round of the FA Cup. UPCOMING: 250 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/12/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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SOC--ITALIAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: ROME — Juventus hosts Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese and Cagliari visits Genoa in Serie A. UPCOMING: 200 words.

UPCOMING: By 01/12/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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FBC--CFP CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: Curt Cignetti has been quick to remind people all he does is win. But there is one thing missing from the head coaching resume of the two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year: a national championship. He’s one win away from adding one, but so is Mario Cristobal of Miami. By Michael Marot. 700 words, with photos. Developing from afternoon news conferences.

UPCOMING: By 01/12/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

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HKN--PACIFIC DIVISION WOES

DESCRIPTION: The Pacific Division struggled through the first half of the season, creating the possibility for a wide-open playoff race in the second half. By Mark Anderson. 700 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/12/2026 7:00 p.m. EST, Text

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HKN--RED WINGS-FEDOROV JERSEY

DESCRIPTION: The Detroit Red Wings are retiring Sergei Fedorov’s jersey, ending a long wait for the Hockey Hall of Famer. By Hockey Writer Larry Lage. 450 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/12/2026 10:30 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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HKN--OILERS-BLACKHAWKS

DESCRIPTION: Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers take on Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. By Jay Cohen. 300 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/12/2026 10:45 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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FBN--TEXANS-STEELERS

DESCRIPTION: The Houston Texans (12-5) visit the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) in the final game of opening round of the NFL playoffs. By Will Graves. Game starts at 8:15 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 01/12/2026 11:30 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKC--T25-MEN’S POLL

Arizona strengthens hold on No. 1 in AP Top 25; Vanderbilt cracks top 10

SUMMARY: Arizona has tightened its hold on the top spot in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll after Michigan’s loss to Wisconsin. The Wildcats received 60 of 61 first-place votes. Iowa State moved up to No. 2, followed by UConn, Michigan and Purdue. Nebraska moved up two spots to No. 8 to match its highest-ever ranking set in February 1966. Vanderbilt hit No. 10 for its first top-10 ranking since the 2011-12 preseason poll. No. 19 Florida, No. 22 Clemson, No. 23 Utah State and No. 25 Seton Hall were the new additions to the poll. Kansas, SMU and UCF fell out.

WORDS: 641 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 1:34 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f8f88d67ca75a626124b8fbfbc227f55&mediaType=text

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SOC--REAL MADRID-ALONSO

Real Madrid gets rid of Xabi Alonso and promotes B team manager Álvaro Arbeloa

SUMMARY: Real Madrid has replaced coach Xabi Alonso with B team manager Álvaro Arbeloa to no surprise. They were teammates at Madrid, Liverpool and Spain. Madrid says Alonso left by mutual agreement capping a tumultuous stint that lasted less than eight months. The midfield great arrived in May under high expectations as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement. The announcement comes a day after Madrid lost to Barcelona 3-2 in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

WORDS: 445 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 1:30 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:518314f55831c34abb88ec373870a311&mediaType=text

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BKN--HEAT-BULLS RESCHEDULED

How a slippery court led to a grueling stretch for the Bulls and Heat: 4 games in 5 days await

SUMMARY: The NBA has rescheduled a game between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat due to a slippery court issue. The game, originally set for last Thursday, will now be played on January 29. This change means both teams will play four games in five days later this month. The Bulls and Heat will face each other in three consecutive games. Chicago will play in Indiana on January 28, then host Miami the next day. Meanwhile, Miami will host Orlando on January 28 before starting the three-game series against the Bulls.

WORDS: 153 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 12:56 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:95b966bfd44ec4a4dac236d3d656c29b&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAMS INJURIES

Matthew Stafford is healthy, but Rams CB Ahkello Witherspoon is out for season after playoff injury

SUMMARY: Quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play for the Los Angeles Rams this weekend after tests revealed only a sprain of the index finger on his throwing hand. Stafford injured his finger in the first half of the Rams’ 34-31 victory over the Panthers last Saturday when he banged his hand into the arm of a Carolina defender on a follow-through. The MVP candidate was able to play through the injury, and coach Sean McVay says Stafford will be “good to go” when Los Angeles faces Chicago in the divisional round on Sunday.

WORDS: 386 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 12:37 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f6bd793c1fcdb6d0191988865b29d554&mediaType=text

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OLY--LUG-OLYMPIC FIELD

USA Luge gets 11 athletes into Milan Cortina Olympics, 1 shy of maximum. Russia will get 2 spots

SUMMARY: Russian luge athletes Roman Repilov and Daria Olesik have qualified for the Milan Cortina Olympics. They’ll compete as neutral athletes because of sanctions against Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The International Luge Federation announced the qualifiers on Monday. Germany and Austria secured the maximum athlete spots, while the U.S. and Italy also qualified strong teams. Ukrainian sliders and others have criticized the decision to allow Russian participation. The U.S. team includes returning Olympians and newcomers, with women’s doubles making its Olympic debut. New gold medalists are expected in singles races, as previous champions have retired.

WORDS: 817 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 12:07 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5bcf007b9b64532debe200cc7a9422a4&mediaType=text

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FBC--TRANSFER PORTAL ROUNDUP

Dylan Raiola announces he’s transferring from Nebraska to Oregon

SUMMARY: Quarterback Dylan Raiola has announced on social media he intends to transfer from Nebraska to Oregon. Raiola was the highest-ranked recruit to sign with Nebraska and started 22 games over two seasons. He broke his leg against Southern California on Nov. 1 and missed the Cornhuskers’ last four games. Oregon’s quarterback room for 2026 remains unsettled even with the addition of Raiola as Dante Moore decides whether he will enter the NFL draft. Moore said Friday after a 56-22 loss to No. 1 Indiana in a College Football Playoff semifinal that he was uncertain on his future.

WORDS: 252 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 12:05 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fe6a1f6faf3bccd2478a69e3d2becf87&mediaType=text

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BKW--T25-WOMEN’S POLL

UConn unanimous No. 1 as South Carolina climbs to No. 2 in AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll

SUMMARY: South Carolina climbed to No. 2 in the latest AP women’s basketball Top 25. The reshuffle follows a week where four of the top 10 teams lost. UConn is No. 1. LSU and TCU jumped into the top 10, with LSU moving to No. 6 after beating Texas. Texas dropped to fourth, while No. 5 Vanderbilt has its highest ranking since 2002. Maryland and Oklahoma fall out of the top 10, and Alabama, Notre Dame, and Illinois entered the poll. The SEC leads with nine teams in the Top 25.

WORDS: 478 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 12:02 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fca9dc183ce14d7786e6cbc56c0ac31d&mediaType=text

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HKN--NHL DRAFT-BUFFALO

With McKenna as the top prospect, NHL chooses Buffalo Sabres to host draft in June, AP source says

SUMMARY: With highly prized prospect Gavin McKenna as the centerpiece, the NHL has selected the Buffalo Sabres to host its annual draft in June, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league had yet to reveal its plans. The news was first reported by ESPN. The formal announcement will be made during a news conference that will include NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and held in Buffalo on Monday night. The two-day draft will be held June 26-27. McKenna is a freshman forward at Penn State and has long been projected to be the No. 1 pick.

WORDS: 487 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 10:31 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:189ca3133e4ed17ba8605bee391204b7&mediaType=text

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SOC--NWSL-SUMMIT-HEAPS

USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps set to join the expansion Denver Summit

SUMMARY: Lindsey Heaps is coming home. The Women’s World Cup winner is joining the National Women’s Soccer League’s expansion Denver Summit this summer when her contract is up with French club Lyon. Heaps is a native of Golden, Colorado, and made no secret of her interest in playing in her home state after the Summit was announced as the league’s 16th team back in January 2025. The club embarks on its first season this year. Heaps says “I think they align with all of my beliefs in how they see the team, how they see it becoming successful, and the investment that they’re putting in.”

WORDS: 734 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 10:13 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:facfbd02f2a06964377f0f16fb9f3df0&mediaType=text

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US--MUHAMMAD ALI-STAMP

Muhammad Ali will be honored with a commemorative US postage stamp

SUMMARY: Muhammad Ali is being honored with a commemorative U.S. postage stamp. Ali was known as one of the greatest boxers and a cultural icon. Ali’s stamp features a 1974 Associated Press photo of him in a boxing pose. Ali’s wife, Lonnie Ali, expresses excitement about the tribute, highlighting Ali’s mission of spreading compassion. A first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Muhammad Ali Forever Stamp is planned for Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali’s birthplace. The U.S. Postal Service director of stamp services notes the lengthy process of creating the stamp, which began after Ali’s death in 2016. Ali’s legacy as a fighter, activist and humanitarian continues to inspire many people.

WORDS: 1065 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 7:36 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:33534e74228d40ac43a4b22b5578a7bc&mediaType=text

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FBN--ON FOOTBALL-PHILLY FLOPS

Defending Super Bowl champion Eagles flop against 49ers, could lead to staff changes

WORDS: 976 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 6:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:62f48ed4f1d5d6d35e85549c594fc928&mediaType=text

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FBN--ALL-PRO-INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Matthew Stafford ends record-tying longest wait for first-team AP NFL All-Pro honor

WORDS: 956 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 6:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b05ed8e95bfb20d42f6de2e8dc6cc29f&mediaType=text

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OLY--SKI-US WOMEN’S SKI TEAM-PHOTO ESSAY

PHOTO ESSAY: For US women’s ski team, balancing competition with camaraderie is key

WORDS: 519 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 5:19 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4679d918b509ac8e4241aaac4f7effe4&mediaType=text

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OLY--SPD-MILAN CORTINA-ICE MASTER

Canadian ice master makes Olympic history with the Games’ 1st indoor temporary speedskating rink

WORDS: 911 - MOVED: 01/12/2026 3:08 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3c4ad636c131a1c8375d120a1e67281d&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW ___

—OLY--Winter Olympics-Future Games

—SOC--AFCON-World Cup-Fans

—SKI--WCup-Women’s Slalom

—FBN--Falcons-Ryan