On today’s Morning Espresso, we look at a Boxing Day unlike any other, with just one Premier League match on the schedule as Manchester United host Newcastle at Old Trafford. We dig into how fixture congestion and calendar pressures are reshaping one of English football’s longest traditions.

We also turn our attention to Africa Cup of Nations Matchday 2, with qualification scenarios beginning to emerge, major voices speaking out on the tournament’s place in the global game, and key storylines from Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, and beyond. Plus, domestic updates across the NWSL and MLS, network news from SDH AM, and a look ahead to a 2026 that’s already coming into focus.