England are set to face Mexico in a FIFA World Cup 2026 round-of-16 clash at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with kick-off scheduled for 1am UK time on Monday. If the match goes to extra time or a penalty shootout, the evening could stretch well past 3am — so a little preparation goes a long way.

The all-nighter option

For those with the stamina and a forgiving schedule, staying up through the night is one route. Sunday offers a full slate of sport to keep you company: the British Grand Prix from Silverstone kicks off at 3pm, followed by a T20 World Cup final at Lord's at 3.30pm featuring England Women, and a packed Magic Weekend of Super League action.

Wimbledon provides afternoon viewing before the evening's World Cup action begins with a tantalising last-16 fixture — Brazil taking on Erling Haaland's Norway at 9pm. Should that tie go to extra time and penalties, it will carry you almost directly into the England build-up on the BBC.

This route demands stamina, strategic caffeine use, a light meal to maintain energy levels, and well-timed power naps throughout the day. Crucially, you will need a plan for Monday morning — whether that means going into the office bleary-eyed, arriving a little late after a follow-up nap, or holding out hope for an impromptu public holiday.

The early night approach

Sleep matters. If you would rather bank a few hours before kick-off, an early night with an alarm set for just before 1am is a sensible option. You may wake feeling groggy, but once the anthems play and the adrenaline kicks in, the daze should pass quickly. One word of caution: go easy on the caffeine during Sunday — too much coffee in the afternoon could sabotage your pre-match nap.

The catch-up method

If a full night's sleep is non-negotiable and work cannot wait, catching up on the match early Monday morning is a perfectly valid choice. A 6am alarm means you could watch the entire game before most people have even had breakfast — including those who stayed up to watch it live.

The key challenge is avoiding the score. That means silencing your phone, staying off social media, ignoring WhatsApp groups, and disabling news alerts until you have finished watching. Spoiler discipline is everything.

Surviving Monday

Whether you stayed up or woke up early, Monday could be a long day. A few simple habits will help: get a coffee in as soon as you wake, step outside for some daylight and a walk, keep water close, eat proper meals, and — above all — keep the day's commitments as light as possible. Chances are, your colleagues will be in exactly the same state.