A couple of years back, while gearing up for my firstborn's arrival, a buddy shared some wise words. Sleepless nights were inevitable. Yet, there was an upside: soccer from Europe.

I have followed the sport for years, but never have I watched so extensively. I caught every moment of Liverpool's championship Premier League run. That was merely the beginning.

The whole continent became accessible. I tuned into Celtic versus St Mirren and Aberdeen, plus St Pauli at the Millerntor. During one tough stretch of restless nights, I even turned to the Conference League for midweek relief.

This is the reality for Australian soccer supporters. The game and fatigue often pair up here. Weekends blur together and Mondays require multiple coffees. We risk far more on those 90 minutes. A goalless draw stings more when it leaves you drained for a full day.

Now, as Australians enjoy easier schedules, UK viewers face the opposite. This World Cup across Canada, Mexico and the US offers England fans reasonable group games. Scotland supporters, however, start with a 2am kickoff. Others confront midnight or 3am starts. Forty-four of 104 matches fall between midnight and 5am UK time.

So I offer guidance drawn from fans on the opposite side of the globe. We have tested every option you may now weigh.

In the excitement before the tournament, you might plan a lively all-nighter with friends for that 2am match. You could think a short rest afterward will suffice for work. It may work in your twenties. But nearing 40, like me, it means a miserable week ahead.

Remember one firm rule. Your chance to miss work unnoticed drops as the match grows bigger. An all-nighter for Curaçao-Ecuador draws no notice from your boss. England in the round of 32 at midnight? Prepare for a call from HR.

Next you may try sleeping through and catching an 8am replay. Alerts and chats will ruin that plan. Switch off your phone and store it away. Silent mode fails here. Your habit will pull you toward social media. The feed will reveal the score before you can stop it.

I faced this again in May after the Champions League final, a 2am start on Australia's east coast.

Watching on delay also means limiting contact with others. It is a necessary step to protect the experience. Avoid conversations. Skip neighbors. Ignore your partner. If you must step out, leave team colors at home. Strangers may chat and spoil the result.

Even without direct comments, people find ways to hint at the outcome. A quick nod from a dog walker might signal a penalty win. A barista avoiding eye contact could mean an early exit.

The best plan is an early bedtime, solid sleep, and an alarm just before the 2am start. Yet risks remain. Rising at 1:30am is tough, and your mind may fight the short move to the couch. For beginners, set several alarms ten minutes apart from 1am onward. Volume need not be a concern; your partner will likely adjust.

Avoid getting too cozy on the sofa and keep lights bright. Darkness invites drowsiness. If your eyes close, the score awaits when you wake. The effort will be lost.

Finally, treat these early starts as a mark of dedication. They set you apart as a true supporter. That is what we tell ourselves here. It helps justify the unusual strain.