In its near-100-year history England fans have never had to endure a World Cup kick-off after midnight – or much earlier than 8am for that matter.
But next week that is set to change. Revellers at home will be forced to stay up into the early hours of the morning to watch the Three Lions battle it out with Mexico at the unsavoury hour of 1am.
The match is taking place in Mexico City at 6pm local time and follows the squad’s 2-1 victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
But for football fans in the UK, the time difference means England supporters won’t be able to get to bed until around three – posing an inconvenience for the working man or woman who will be expected to turn up to their job a mere few hours later.
For those who are not following the advice of England manager Thomas Tuchel – who has suggested parents give their children ‘the day off’ – sleep experts have weighed in on how to navigate Monday morning’s game.
And the prospects are not all doom and gloom – amid reassurances that ‘one later night isn’t going to derail your health or performance’.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Kathryn Pinkham, founder of The Insomnia Clinic, said those looking to stay up to watch the game shouldn’t worry about ‘banking’ sleep beforehand.
She added: ‘The biggest issue is often the worry about how you’ll cope the next day. That anxiety can make it harder to sleep after the final whistle than the late kick-off itself.
Fans are seen gathered in Wembley yesterday evening to watch England play against DR Congo
Supporters in the stadium in Atlanta, Georgia celebrated the team’s 2-1 victory as the England players stood to face them
‘Once the match is over, give yourself 20–30 minutes to unwind before bed rather than expecting to fall asleep immediately after all the excitement.’
Ms Pinkham, whose day-to-day job includes helping patients overcome insomnia with ‘practical, evidence-based techniques’, said those going to work should get up at their usual time the following day – getting outside into daylight ‘as early as possible’.
‘Avoid the temptation to sleep in or take a long nap, as this can make it harder to sleep the following night,’ she added.
The comments come as bed retailer Dreams estimates Brits will have lost 120million hours of sleep in total by the end of the tournament, based on UK data from previous international football events.
Ms Pinkham concluded: ‘Focus on getting a good night’s sleep in the days leading up to the match and accept that one later night isn’t going to derail your health or performance.
‘Most healthy adults can cope perfectly well with one night of shorter sleep. It’s the stress about being tired, rather than the tiredness itself, that often has the biggest impact.’
The study by Dreams estimated nearly one in four (23 per cent) of England supporters were prepared to sleep separately from their partner to avoid missing the matches played in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Almost a third (30 per cent) planned to abandon their normal bedtime routine – with some watching from sheds, garages and cars to avoid disturbing others at home.
England supporters celebrate their team’s winning goal yesterday evening scored by Harry Kane as they watch the match on the sands at The Watering Hole in Perranporth
Older couples were most likely to consider sleeping separately during the event, according to the research.
Just 13 per cent of 18-24-year-olds said they would consider doing it, but the figure rose to 31 per cent among both 35-44 and 45-54-year-olds, and 45 per cent among over-55s.
Meanwhile one in five (21 per cent) said household responsibilities were likely to be ignored on match nights.
Sleep expert Sammy Margo from Dreams also shared her thoughts on navigating late kick-offs.
One tip she offered was having the ‘sleep conversation’ ahead of the start of the match.
Ms Margo said: ‘Before the match starts, agree the game plan. Include who’s watching, where they’re watching, and whether it’s a bed, sofa or spare room night.
‘Sorting this before kick-off can help avoid any full-time tension, especially if one person needs uninterrupted sleep. And if someone is taking one for the team on the sofa or in the spare room, a mattress topper can help make the set-up feel much more comfortable.’
She also suggested creating a low-light match plan – as ‘bright overhead lighting at night can make it harder for the brain to wind down’.
On noise, she added: ‘Late-night commentary, sudden celebrations and loud reactions can easily wake the rest of the household. Headphones, subtitles and lower volume are simple ways to enjoy late-night matches without turning the bedroom into a stadium.’
Other suggestions included making the viewing set-up sleep-friendly and protecting the post-match wind-down – as ‘giving your brain time to switch off after the match can help fall asleep more easily’.
Fans of all countries face complex planning to see matches, given the logistics involved in attending a tournament spanning three countries.
It comes as supporters of the Three Lions are hoping their journey will finish in glory on July 19 by ending 60 years of hurt and winning the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
