41 group matches to be played at night: how to limit sleep deprivation and what about students?

Football fans in Belgium face a challenge with the 2026 World Cup schedule, as numerous matches will kick off between midnight and 6 a.m. due to the significant time difference with the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Sleep experts An Mariman and Johan Verbraecken suggest that a single shorter night of sleep is unlikely to have major consequences if one is not already sleep-deprived. "You'll probably just feel a bit tired and less efficient than usual during the day, but it will disappear the next day," Verbraecken, a sleep center coordinator, explained. He added that the body naturally compensates by ensuring deeper sleep the following night.

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You'll probably just feel a bit tired and less efficient than usual during the day, but it will disappear the next day.

However, Mariman, a psychiatrist and sleep specialist, advises against drastically altering sleep schedules. She recommends limiting the number of late-night games watched and avoiding prolonged sleep-ins or early bedtime routines. Instead, she suggests short power naps in the afternoon if necessary, rather than disrupting the natural sleep-wake rhythm too much.

For students preparing for exams, Mariman emphasizes the critical importance of adequate sleep. "They better not watch any football at night at all," she stated, prioritizing academic performance over late-night matches. The experts also caution against consuming stimulants like soft drinks and alcohol, or unhealthy snacks, if one intends to sleep after a match.

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They better not watch any football at night at all.