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Championship news

Jay Rodriguez Wrexham 2024-25

Wrexham add one-cap England international to EFL squad

Wrexham have added fit-again former England international Jay Rodriguez to their squad for the second-half of the 2025-26 campaign. The veteran frontman picked up an unfortunate injury in pre-season. He was left out of Phil Parkinson’s 25-man EFL ranks as a result, but has now been drafted in with immediate effect after seeing Elliot Lee head for the treatment table.

Rob McElhenney Steven Fletcher Wrexham

Wrexham icon reveals 'craziest thing' about playing for Rob & Ryan

Former Wrexham star Steven Fletcher has offered some insight into his time at the club and revealed the "craziest thing" about playing for Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac's side. Fletcher said an emotional farewell to Wrexham back in May after two years with the Welsh side, during which he became a firm favourite and helped fire the club into the Championship.

Ryan Reynolds Rob McElhenney Wrexham

Welcome to Wrexham! Are Rob & Ryan locked in golden handcuffs?

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have sold another stake in Wrexham, but the Red Dragons - and their new investors - are expected to have Hollywood co-owners locked in “golden handcuffs”. Their value to the collective cause is not lost on anybody connected with the Welsh club, with a meteoric rise to prominence being enjoyed under A-list chairmen.

Christian Pulisic USMNT Copa America

Dike explains what makes USMNT leader Pulisic special

Daryl Dike has explained to the ‘Beast Mode On’ podcast what makes USMNT star Christian Pulisic special. The AC Milan forward is fondly known as ‘Captain America’ in his homeland and does take on skipper duties at times. He is a source of inspiration to many of those around him, with an unassuming character taking to leading through action rather than words.

Daryl Dike USMNT

Nigeria vs USMNT: Dike explains international allegiance pick

Daryl Dike has explained why he pledged international allegiance to the USMNT over Nigeria. The powerful striker, who is of African heritage, has seen his brother Bright and sister Courtney commit to the Super Eagles. Dike opted to tread a different path, with 10 caps being earned for the United States. He has discussed that decision with the ‘Beast Mode On’ podcast.

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Rob McElhenney Ryan Reynolds Wrexham

Reynolds & Mac sent ‘go big’ transfer advice at Wrexham

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have, ahead of the January window, been given a “go big” transfer warning at Wrexham. Hollywood co-owners have helped to fund a meteoric rise for the Red Dragons, with record-shattering recruitment drives being overseen. They are, however, being advised to steer clear of another elaborate spending spree early in 2026.

Coventry City v Bristol City - Sky Bet Championship

Lampard apologises after Coventry-Southampton brawl

Frank Lampard was forced to apologise after a heated post-match melee erupted following Coventry City’s hard-earned draw at Southampton. The Sky Blues boss appeared to inflame tensions with a sarcastic gesture towards the home crowd, triggering confrontations between players and staff and overshadowing a resilient display from his Championship leaders.

Coventry City v Bristol City - Sky Bet Championship

📽️ | Lampard sparks Championship melee after Southampton draw

Chelsea and England legend Frank Lampard sparked a Championship melee after celebrating Coventry City's hard-fought draw against Southampton on Saturday. The Sky Blues were reduced to 10 men at the start of the second half, but they managed to hold Southampton to a draw to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches, with their last loss coming in November against Wrexham.

Hull City v Wrexham AFC - Sky Bet Championship

'Very strange goal' - Okonkwo defended after howler for Wrexham

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson offered an emphatic defence of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo after a late mistake proved decisive in a pulsating 2-1 Championship defeat away to Swansea City. In a fixture loaded with history and emotion, Wrexham’s hopes of claiming a valuable derby point were undone in the closing stages, leaving Parkinson’s side ruing what might have been.

Leicester City FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League

Leicester apologise after breaking festive tradition

Leicester City have found themselves in uncomfortable territory off the pitch after being forced to apologise to staff over a late change to their December pay schedule. For the first time in several years, employees were informed that their salaries would not arrive until after Christmas, breaking with a long-standing club tradition designed to ease financial pressures during the festive period.

Swansea 2-1 Wrexham

Okonkwo makes howler as Swansea down Wrexham in derby

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo made a last-gasp howler as Swansea City came from behind to earn a dramatic 2-1 Championship victory over Wrexham in the Welsh derby on Friday evening. Second-half strikes from Zan Vipotnik and Adam Idah helped Vitor Matos' side secure the bragging rights after Phil Parkinson's visitors had taken the lead thanks to an own goal from defender Cameron Burgess.

Daryl Dike

🎥 | USMNT star Dike reveals secrets of rapid rise

USMNT star Daryl Dike is the latest high-profile guest to join Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast. The West Bromwich Albion star opens up on his journey through college soccer, facing Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger, and naming the best opponent he's gone head-to-head with throughout a meteoric rise that has earned him 10 international caps ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

AS Roma v Como - Serie A

Dele comeback pending?! Free agent ex-Spurs star posts update

Dele Alli has hinted that a return to the professional ranks may be pending, with the former Tottenham midfielder continuing his search for a new club. The ex-England international has been a free agent since seeing his contract at Serie A side Como terminated. He has been working on an individual fitness programme, allowing him to stay sharp while waiting on offers.

Ollie Rathbone Reynolds Mac Wrexham

Reynolds & Mac blown away by Rathbone's late Wrexham stunner

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac witnessed pure drama at the Racecourse Ground as late hero Ollie Rathbone smashed home a spectacular stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw for Wrexham against Watford. The Hollywood owners were left stunned as the midfielder’s long-range strike capped a chaotic Championship contest and reignited the club’s festive momentum.

Wrexham v Cardiff City - Carabao Cup Fourth Round

Rathbone earns draw against Watford with dramatic late equaliser

Oliver Rathbone stole the limelight after coming on as a late substitute as Wrexham held Watford to an exciting 2-2 draw at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday. The Red Dragons scored but they soon gave up on the lead as Watford went ahead just before the break. Phil Parkinson's decision to put Rathbone on the pitch late in the game, however, proved to be a masterclass as his team walked away with a point.

Rob McElhenney Ryan Reynolds Wrexham

Wrexham tipped to splash more cash as Rob & Ryan chase dream

Wrexham spent big in the summer of 2025, but former Red Dragons boss Dean Saunders has told GOAL why Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac will likely make more funds available in the January transfer window. The ambitious Welsh outfit are looking competitive in the Championship, with collective sights locked on winning promotion to the Premier League.

Michail Antonio West Ham 2024-25

Antonio training with Championship club as comeback nears

Michail Antonio is reportedly training with Championship side Leicester as he seeks to make a sensational return to professional football. The 35-year-old forward has been without a club since being released by West Ham in the summer of 2025. No fresh terms were offered there on the back of Antonio suffering a near-fatal car crash in December 2024. He is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.

Ryan Reynolds Rob McElhenney Wrexham 2025

Man Utd vs Wrexham? Reynolds' side in talks over friendly

Talks are underway between Manchester United and Wrexham for the two clubs to take part in a headline-grabbing friendly next summer in pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 season. Scandinavia has been touted as a possible destination but nothing is yet confirmed, as discussions continue. The two clubs last faced each other in a friendly in July 2023 in San Diego in the United States, with Wrexham coming out 3-1 winners against a youthful Red Devils side.

Phil Parkinson Wrexham 2025-26

‘Honest chat’ - Parkinson slams Wrexham performance at Hull

Phil Parkinson was hugely disappointed with Wrexham’s performance in a 2-0 defeat at Hull City, with an “honest chat” taking place behind the scenes. The Red Dragons saw a nine-match unbeaten run in Championship competition come to a shuddering halt when paying a visit to East Yorkshire. Parkinson is now demanding an immediate response from his players.

Kieffer Moore Wrexham

Wrexham's unbeaten run ends as Moore's mishaps prove costly

Wrexham's seven-match unbeaten run in the Championship came to an end on Wednesday as they went down 2-0 against a dominant Hull City on the road. The Red Dragons' star forward Kieffer Moore had a night to forget as his two costly misses cost Phil Parkinson's side crucial points. Wrexham have dropped to 14th place in the second tier after the defeat.

Ryan Reynolds Rob McElhenney

Wrexham's minority stake sold to new Atletico Madrid owners

Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have sold a minority Wrexham stake to new Atletico Madrid owners Apollo Sports Capital. The fresh round of investment will provide added funding for the club's stadium redevelopment. The iconic Racecourse Ground is undergoing a serious facelift as the Red Dragons remain focused on fulfilling their dream of competing in the Premier League.

Watford v Norwich City - Sky Bet Championship

WATCH: Sargent ends goal drought in Norwich City defeat

U.S. international Josh Sargent provided a rare bright spot for Norwich City during their 3-2 defeat to Watford, finding the net with an 11th-minute header to temporarily put the Canaries ahead. The American forward's early strike marked a significant personal milestone, ending a frustrating 14-game goalless run in the Championship that had stretched across several months of the 2025 season.

Wrexham Preston

Wrexham denied victory at Preston by late equaliser

Wrexham made it nine matches unbeaten in the Championship but saw all three points stolen away from them at Deepdale as teenager Harrison Armstrong equalised late on for Preston North End. The Red Dragons had led ever since the fourth minute through a simple Kieffer Moore finish, with James McClean clearing off the line and Arthur Okonkwo making a string of top-class saves before Preston equalised to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw between two sides with play-off ambitions.

Charlton The Valley

Charlton 'devastated' after fan dies and match abandoned

The Championship side have confirmed that a supporter has tragically died following a medical emergency at The Valley on Saturday afternoon. The fixture between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth was halted in the 12th minute while staff dealt with the incident. After a delay, referee Matthew Donohue told the players to return to the dressing rooms, and the match was later called off.

Frequently asked questions

Egypt are the team who have won the most AFCON titles in history, with seven to their name. It was in 1957, the inaugural edition of AFCON, where Egypt attained glory. They would go on to add three more trophies before the turn of the century (1957, 1986, 1998), before completing a threepeat in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

The first-ever AFCON featured just three teams. Between 1968 and 1990, eight teams featured in the tournament. An expansion in 1992 saw 12 teams feature in AFCON, and 16 from 1998. The latest expansion in 2019, though, sees 24 teams fight for glory.

Cameroon legend Rigobert Song set the record of most AFCON appearances in 2010, playing in his 36th game in the tournament. That record was equalled by Ghanaian icon Andre Ayew in 2024.

Cameroon icon Samuel Eto'o leads the all-time goalscoring charts with an impressive 18 goals over the course of 29 matches during six different tournaments.

Egypt's Essam El Hadary is the oldest player ever to play in AFCON at the age of 44 years and 21 days. He achieved this feat in 2017 during Egypt's 2-1 loss to Cameroon.

Former Ghana defender Joseph Odoi made his AFCON debut in 1984 at the age of 15 years and 164 days, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the African Cup of Nations.

Samuel Eto'o, Mohamed Salah, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Jay-Jay Okocha, Sadio Mane, Roger Milla, Ahmed Hassan, George Weah, etc, are some of the biggest names to have featured in the African Cup of Nations.

Charles Gyamfi, Hassan Shehata, Herve Renard, and Avram Grant are some of the most famous coaches to have led their respective teams at AFCON.