What Happens to Our Bodies During Late-Night World Cup Matches? A Doctor Explains

Watch the report by Idan Koeler, Walla Sports correspondent to the World Cup / Walla editorial staff

The World Cup always brings excitement, tension, and anticipation, but when the matches run deep into the night, our bodies are forced to deal with an unusual mix of fatigue, emotional arousal, sleep deprivation, and sometimes also increased consumption of caffeine and energy drinks. For many people, it starts with an evening of “just one game” and turns into weeks of irregular sleep, accumulated exhaustion, and real difficulty functioning the next day.

When we stay awake until very late hours, especially around an emotional and stimulating event such as a decisive match, the body is in a state of heightened arousal. Even after the game ends, it is not always easy for the brain to “switch off” and enter quality sleep. During the match itself, watching a dramatic game activates natural stress mechanisms in many people. The heart rate rises, the body secretes adrenaline and cortisol, and there is a sense of tension that is felt physically as well. The sleep deprivation that follows also affects cortisol levels, but in a more complex way, sometimes raising them, especially in the evening, and sometimes lowering them the next morning.

Why do the body sensations feel so hard the day after an all-nighter? During sleep, the body and brain go through essential recovery processes. When sleep is significantly shortened, many people already feel reduced concentration, heavy fatigue, irritability, headaches, and sometimes a feeling of “fog” and difficulty thinking clearly the next day. Beyond that, lack of sleep also affects appetite and energy levels. Many people tend to consume more coffee, sweets, or fast food the next day in an attempt to compensate for the fatigue, but in practice this sometimes only places more strain on the body and can even worsen the feeling of an “energy crash.”

How can you prepare properly for nights of games? If you know in advance that you plan to stay awake for an important match, it is better to prepare the body ahead of time rather than “fight” the fatigue at the last minute. A short rest in the evening or an early afternoon nap can help significantly with alertness at night. The small habits also matter the next day: • Drink enough water • Do not skip meals • Expose yourself to natural daylight in the morning • Avoid excessive caffeine consumption • Try to return to a regular sleep routine already the following night

Coffee can help, but do not overdo it

Caffeine can certainly help with short-term alertness, but large amounts of coffee or energy drinks may cause unpleasant side effects such as a rapid heartbeat, nervousness, shaking, headaches, and difficulty falling asleep later. Energy drinks have become almost an inseparable part of watching games at night, especially among young people, but it is important to remember that they sometimes contain very high amounts of caffeine and sugar. For some people, especially those who suffer from heart problems, high blood pressure, or anxiety, this combination can be more problematic and cause unpleasant physical sensations such as palpitations or excessive arousal.

And what happens to the body during a decisive penalty kick? Many people know the feeling: the heart rate rises, the hands sweat, the body tightens, and every kick feels as if it is happening in our own living room. Physiologically, the body really does respond to such stressful situations in a completely real way. During knockout matches or penalty shootouts, the nervous system enters a state of increased arousal. The body secretes stress hormones, the heart rate rises, and there is sometimes also a feeling of pressure in the chest or difficulty calming down. For most people, this is a natural and passing response, but those who suffer from anxiety or high sensitivity to stress may feel it more intensely. In such situations, slow and deep breathing, drinking water, and taking a short break from the screen can help reduce the level of tension a little and bring the body back into balance.

Enjoying the World Cup without exhausting the body

The World Cup is a sporting, social, and emotional experience accompanied by a lot of adrenaline and excitement. But amid all the enthusiasm, it is important to remember that our bodies still need sleep, recovery, and balance. You do not have to watch every match, you do not have to “hold on” with another energy drink, and you do not need to turn a month of football into a month of accumulated fatigue. With a little planning and attention to the body, it is possible to enjoy even the 3:00 a.m. matches without paying for it throughout the following week.

Dr. Li Erez is a family medicine specialist at Maccabi Healthcare Services, Northern District.