England national football team manager Thomas Tuchel urged parents to let their children stay up late to watch a World Cup match.
The request highlights the clash between the tournament's scheduling in Qatar and the daily routines of fans in the U.S. and U.K. Because the match occurs during school hours for many children, the manager is calling for a nationwide effort to support the team regardless of the time.
Tuchel spoke regarding the last-16 match against Mexico, which is scheduled for a 1 a.m. BST kickoff [1]. He suggested that the significance of the event outweighs the immediate need for classroom attendance. "School can wait – let the kids stay up and watch the match," Tuchel said [2].
The manager emphasized that the team needs maximum support for what he described as the "night-shift" [3]. He encouraged parents to provide written excuses to schools so that children can witness the game. "Parents should write an excuse and let their children stay up late for England’s 1 a.m. World Cup last-16 clash against Mexico," Tuchel said [4].
The match was scheduled for Monday, Dec. 2, 2022 [5]. By advocating for a collective shift in priority, Tuchel aimed to ensure that the atmosphere of support for the national team remained strong despite the challenging time difference. He said the whole country needs to support the team during this specific window.
This appeal comes as England navigates the high-pressure knockout stages of the tournament. The manager's comments reflect a desire to unify the fan base and create a shared national experience, even if it requires disrupting traditional academic schedules.
“"School can wait – let the kids stay up and watch the match."”
Tuchel's comments underscore the logistical friction caused by hosting the World Cup in a time zone significantly different from that of the participating European nations. By publicly prioritizing sport over formal education, the manager is attempting to maximize psychological momentum and national solidarity for the squad, treating the match as a cultural event rather than a mere game.
