Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
ZIMBABWE has officially entered what experts are calling a “national zombie season” and the culprit is not witchcraft, a virus or an invasion from outer space.
It’s the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
With the football extravaganza being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, many matches are kicking off at times that seem specifically designed to destroy African sleeping patterns.
For die-hard football fans, the daily routine now resembles a military operation.
At 7pm, they settle in for the evening fixtures. By midnight, eyes are bloodshot but spirits remain high. At 3am, they are still glued to screens, debating whether a goalkeeper should have come off his line faster. By dawn, they are brushing their teeth and preparing for work while looking like survivors of a month-long wilderness expedition.
In offices across the country, workers are reportedly answering emails with one eye closed, while kombi passengers are sleeping so deeply they miss their stops by several suburbs.
“I have made a personal commitment to watch all 104 matches,” declared Bulawayo football fanatic Moses Ncube while struggling to suppress a yawn that lasted almost 20 seconds.
Another fan, Tendai Moyo, says he has a more tactical approach.
“If two matches are played at the same time, I watch my favourite team live. Immediately afterwards, I watch the repeat of the other game. You need to understand the tactics and rate their chances against future opponents.”
Running from 11 June to 19 July, the 2026 edition is the biggest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams split into 12 groups and a staggering 104 matches. This means the sleep crisis is only expected to worsen as the tournament progresses.
Health experts warn that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to poor concentration, irritability, reduced productivity and the dangerous habit of calling your boss “ref” after a disagreement. Excessive screen time can also contribute to headaches, eye strain and fatigue.
Their advice is to take short naps, stay hydrated, reduce screen brightness and occasionally look away from the television to confirm that your family still lives in the same house.
However, judging by the determination of football supporters, such advice may fall on deaf ears.
After all, sleep comes every night.
The World Cup comes only once every four years.
