World Cup 2026, Day 1: I stayed up all night so you didn’t have to
The 2026 World Cup has officially begun with matches in Mexico and South Korea. The article provides a lighthearted recap of the opening games and the logistical challenges of following a tournament across multiple time zones.
Why it matters
The World Cup is a major global cultural and sporting event that significantly impacts international media consumption and travel.
Now, because some of you haven’t been able to take 5½ weeks off work, or from life in general, there’s a small chance you won’t be in a position to watch all 104 games in this World Cup tournament, spread across 39 days, three countries and four time zones with 13 different kick-off times, including 2am, 3am, 4am and 5am.
The content is a sports recap and commentary piece with no political or social agenda.
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