In keeping with the latest trend on the World Cup, I wish to make the following observation. The England team is about to play against one of the hosts of the games, Mexico in their own home stadium in Mexico City. The game will be televised in the UK at 1:00 am on Monday 6th of July 2026. There is a minor debate going on in the UK as to whether parents should allow their children to stay up late to be able to watch the match which is likely to go on until possibly 3:30 am or later. Indeed, the England Team manager Thomas Tuchel has expressed the view that children should be allowed to stay up to show support of the team. It is however a school night and the children are expected to be in school on Monday morning as normal. Views have been expressed from a variety of sources both for and against the proposition. The Education Secretary has stated that she expected the children to be at school and alert on Monday morning. What individual parents intend to do is another matter. I’m sure it will be a mixed bag.
My own view is that, given the style of play the England team are exhibiting, the children are more than likely to fall asleep in no time and surely after the first 15 minute of play. They will all be safely tucked up by 1:30 and ready to attend school by 8:45 AM. So perhaps a bit shorter sleep than 8 hrs, but enough to get through the school day at 3:00 or 3:30 pm. They will be saved the depression that will most probably prevail as Mexico progresses to the quarter finals against either Brazil or Norway.
I note that, according to various bookmakers and odds checkers, that England are very slightly favourites to win the match. I put this down to wishful thinking or just the usual economic skullduggery of the gambling industry. Assuming that most people will back the favourite, most bets, and therefore money, will go the bookie’s way - sufficient to pay out on the slightly better odds for Mexico and still make a very good profit.
My own view is that, given the style of play the England team are exhibiting, the children are more than likely to fall asleep in no time and surely after the first 15 minute of play. They will all be safely tucked up by 1:30 and ready to attend school by 8:45 AM. So perhaps a bit shorter sleep than 8 hrs, but enough to get through the school day at 3:00 or 3:30 pm. They will be saved the depression that will most probably prevail as Mexico progresses to the quarter finals against either Brazil or Norway.
I note that, according to various bookmakers and odds checkers, that England are very slightly favourites to win the match. I put this down to wishful thinking or just the usual economic skullduggery of the gambling industry. Assuming that most people will back the favourite, most bets, and therefore money, will go the bookie’s way - sufficient to pay out on the slightly better odds for Mexico and still make a very good profit.
Is this a cynical approach to the goings on in the Americas? I suppose it is, but then, swindling and shenanigans seems to be at the very heart of America. This is not a political statement but merely factual. Conflicts of interest and chicanery abound from the very top, so why should we suppose it should be any different elsewhere at this time when money is being made hand over fist on gambling transactions.
I could be very wrong of course and Mexico’s extraordinary home advantage at the Estadio Azteca will amount to nothing but noise. The England squad may well show flare and initiative, precision and fluidity, and come out on top. It is not as if the team lacks individual football excellence, it is just that a cohesive ensemble seems to evade them. We wait and see. 
As to the manager’s plea for youth support on the home front, huddled around their family widescreen smart teles, with crisps and Ribena, I’m not sure that image will be at the forefront of the players’ minds, spurring them on to glory; but, who knows?
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