Forty-four of the 104 World Cup games are being played between midnight and 5am UK time. For fans in the UK and Europe, this presents a unique challenge: how to survive the late-night kick-offs without sacrificing sleep and sanity. Australian football fans, long accustomed to such schedules, have developed strategies that can help.
Embrace the all-nighter? Think again
In the pre-World Cup euphoria, you might consider pulling a boozy all-nighter with friends to catch that 2am kick-off. Perhaps you believe you can sleep for an hour or two post-match and still function at work. This approach might work in your 20s, but if you are approaching 40, you are sentencing yourself to a week of misery. Remember: your ability to call in sick without suspicion is inversely related to the game's significance. Watching Curaçao vs Ecuador? Your boss may not notice. But England in the round of 32 at midnight? Expect a call from HR.
Avoid the delayed replay trap
Your next thought might be to sleep through the match, avoid the score, and watch an on-demand replay at 8am. Push notifications and group chats will thwart this plan. Turn your phone off and stash it in a drawer. Silent mode is insufficient. Your smartphone addiction will lead you to Facebook or Instagram, where the algorithm will flood your feed with the score before you can unlock your screen. Normal human interaction must also be suspended until you watch the replay. Speak to no one, ignore neighbours, and ghost your significant other. If you must go outside, avoid wearing any team merchandise. Strangers cannot be trusted; a simple nod from a dog-walker might reveal the result.
Wake up for the match
The safest approach is to go to bed early, sleep, and wake up just before the 2am kick-off. However, waking to a 1.30am alarm is challenging, especially when your brain resists the absurdity of walking 10 metres to the couch. For the unpractised, set multiple alarms at 10-minute intervals starting from 1am. Do not worry about the volume; your partner will understand. Once awake, avoid making yourself too comfortable on the couch and keep the lights bright. Sensory overload is a problem for the morning, but during the match, it helps you stay alert. If your eyelids droop, you are done—you will wake up post-match and see the score.
Wear it as a badge of honour
Finally, treat these early-morning wake-ups as a badge of honour. They make you a better fan than everyone else—at least, that is what Australian fans tell themselves. There is no other way to justify this unique form of self-torture. So, as you prepare for the World Cup, remember the wisdom from down under: sleep deprivation is a small price to pay for football glory.
