How to Stay Awake for World Cup Matches Without Losing Sleep

The buildup to the 2026 World Cup is creating a sleep challenge for hundreds of thousands of Israelis, who will likely stay up late to watch matches because of the time difference and then still have to go to work the next day. In an interview on Kan News Radio 2 with Mazi Mualem and Yishai Shnerb, Dr. Amit Green, a psychologist and sleep specialist at Assuta Hospital, said this is not classic jet lag but rather a form of “sleeping problems by choice.” He warned that the pattern could lead to ongoing, chronic sleep deprivation for about a month.

Green said staying awake night after night during the tournament can make people feel “a bit like zombies,” and he predicted many fans would do exactly that for marquee games involving France, Argentina, Brazil and Germany, even if few would stay up for Canada versus Bosnia. He said the lack of sleep can affect almost every part of life, including attention, concentration, decision-making, the ability to drive and emotional state.

At the same time, he argued that football fans do not need to skip the tournament. He recommended several ways to cope: a good shower in the morning, two cups of coffee, such as a short espresso, black coffee or cappuccino, to give a boost in alertness. He also stressed morning light, explaining that sunlight suppresses melatonin and helps reset the biological clock. He described this as spending half an hour to an hour in an “an” airbath of sun.

Green also suggested a short nap after a late match. If someone is tired after coming home, he said, a 30 to 40 minute “sleep snack” can help them stay alert and watch games without collapsing from fatigue.