Every household has its own World Cup ritual. In my house, it’s the lucky pants. I wore them for the 2018 Colombia game, and now I cannot wash them until England goes out. It’s a hygiene risk, but tradition is tradition.
My mate Dave puts the same tea towel over the telly. He swears it deflects the opposition’s energy. Another friend won’t let anyone sit in “the goalie’s spot” on the sofa.
Updated FIFA World Cup 2026™ match schedule reveals venues and kick-off
These are nonsensical superstitions, and we all do them. It’s the foundation of English football culture: equal parts passion and ridiculousness.
The Soundtrack of the Summer
World Cup kick-off times are also the soundtrack to your summer. The drone of the vuvuzela in 2010 was like a swarm of angry bees in your brain. In 2026, it was the constant commentary about the weather in Qatar.
You learn to associate specific times with specific emotions. The 5 PM kick-off means you leave work early (sick day, shh). The 2 PM kick-off means you have a long, sad lunch break.
By the time the quarter-finals roll around, your sleep schedule is a wreck. You don’t even know what day it is. You only know kick-off time.
