Ugandans Embrace Sleepless Nights for World Cup Thrills

For football fanatics in Uganda, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is synonymous with late nights and early mornings. With the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the significant time difference means prime matches often begin long after midnight in Kampala, stretching into the very early hours.

This familiar World Cup tradition forces many Ugandans to choose between rest and witnessing global footballing giants compete for the ultimate prize. As expected, the allure of football is winning out over sleep for most.

Sports bars and video halls across the country have extended their operations, with giant screens illuminating the night as supporters gather. For business owners, this has presented an unexpected boom, with increased sales of food, drinks, and coffee to fuel the late-night viewers.

Juggling work and the tournament’s schedule presents a challenge for many. Lawyer Joel Otim, for instance, stayed up until the early hours to catch Brazil’s match, despite its 1 am kickoff. “I have to watch regardless,” he affirmed, adopting daytime naps to cope with the fatigue.

Some, like sales agent Racheal Mbabazi, are less affected. Already accustomed to an early rising schedule, she finds keeping up with the World Cup fits comfortably into her routine. However, others, like enforcement officer Elly Abaho, find balancing work and late-night games increasingly difficult, sometimes dozing off and waking mid-night to catch the action before heading to work.

Students on holiday, such as Jemimah Nakiyimba, face fewer restrictions. “Sleep can wait. The World Cup is on,” she stated, relishing the chance to watch top stars in action.

For those unable to stay awake, technology offers a solution. Highlights and match replays allow fans to stay connected and participate in workplace and social discussions about the tournament, ensuring they don’t miss out entirely.

Despite the logistical hurdles, the passion for the World Cup remains intense. Discussions about favorite teams, potential upsets, and refereeing decisions are rife, and national team jerseys are a common sight. Some fans, already accustomed to late-night viewing for sports like the NBA, find the adjustment even more demanding, but deem the sacrifice worthwhile for a quadrennial event. After all, the World Cup comes but once every four years – and for these dedicated Ugandans, sleep can indeed wait., Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)