Late-Night World Cup Viewing Can Leave Fans Exhausted and Hungrier

A health article published on June 14, 2026, warns that World Cup matches aired in the middle of the night can take a toll on the body, even though the tournament is an emotional, social and family event for millions of football fans. Dr. Kay Alkara, a family physician with Maccabi Healthcare Services in the North District, says one sleepless night is usually not a major problem, but several short nights in a row can affect nearly every system in the body.

The article says the immediate effects include poorer concentration, worse decision-making, headaches, irritability, a sense of mental fog, fatigue and, in some people, increased hunger and cravings for sweets or caffeine. It notes that people with high blood pressure, migraines or sleep problems may feel the impact more strongly. The body uses sleep at night to recover, process information, calm the nervous system and release hormones linked to balance, focus and alertness.

The piece advises fans not to try to watch every match. If a key game is scheduled for the middle of the night, it recommends planning a short evening nap or a 20 to 30 minute afternoon rest, and choosing only the matches that are truly worth staying up for rather than creating a long stretch of disrupted sleep over several weeks.

Coffee or energy drinks can help only to a point, the article says, because large amounts of caffeine do not replace sleep and can cause a fast pulse, nervousness, headaches, trembling, pressure, and trouble falling asleep the next night. Energy drinks can also contain a lot of sugar and may be especially problematic for people with heart problems, high blood pressure or anxiety. After a sleepless night, the article recommends morning daylight, drinking water, not skipping meals, avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and evening, taking a short rest if possible, and returning to a regular bedtime the next night.