Tuchel Advises Parents on Children Watching Early Morning Match
"Write an excuse for school and let them watch."
That was the advice from England coach Thomas Tuchel to parents regarding whether children should stay up to support England in their early morning World Cup round of 16 match against Mexico on Monday.
Due to the time difference, the match in Mexico City will kick off at 01:00 BST and could finish close to 04:00 if it goes to penalties.
After England’s victory over DR Congo on Wednesday, Tuchel spoke to the media with a smile:
"There's so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch."
Despite Tuchel’s encouragement, some parents and teachers have expressed concerns about the impact on children’s school attendance and performance.
Challenges of Early Morning Kickoff for Schools and Parents
In previous tournaments, some schools have suspended lessons to allow children to watch knockout stage games. However, the late timing of the Mexico match presents logistical difficulties.
Parents face a dilemma: allow children to stay up and risk tiredness and a poor school day, or enforce bedtime and have young fans miss a potentially crucial match on England’s path to World Cup success.
Opinions among parents are divided.
One mother from Epping, Essex, said about her two young children staying up:
"They couldn't even if they wanted to. They struggled to make it to the 21:00 kick off for the Ghana match."
Another parent said they would let their children watch live but expected them to attend school the next day:
"Mine will be watching and still going into the school the next day. What's the big deal? The recent thunderstorms woke them up at 2am and kept them awake for hours and they were fine the next day going to school."
A third parent praised Tuchel’s comments and called for every pupil to have Monday off school.
Schools’ Responses to the Match
One headteacher has planned to show a replay of the match at 07:00 on Monday so pupils can watch together while still getting adequate rest.
Steve Heal, headteacher of Malmesbury Church of England Primary School in Wiltshire, said:
"I've asked parents not to tell their children the result before they arrive at school because we want everyone to experience the ups and downs together.
School really matters and attendance is so important, but we also know just how significant these international sporting events are for children."
Heal, who expects England to win on penalties, said staff will prepare enough seats and food for all 420 students but realistically anticipates about half will attend.
"For many of these children, this is a once-in-a-childhood opportunity to experience a World Cup match with their friends and classmates.
It's wonderful to watch these occasions with your family, but sharing it as a whole school community makes it really special. We'll either celebrate together or cry together."
Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, urged schools in his area to be flexible and allow children to enjoy this "special moment" for the country.
"I'm asking parents and carers to consider suspending bedtime, just this once, for children and young people who want to stay up and cheer on the Three Lions.
This is about letting children be part of a special national moment."
Government and Union Responses
Mexico have lost only twice in competitive matches at the Estadio Azteca—against Costa Rica in 2001 and Honduras in 2013—since they began playing there in 1966.
The UK government has stated that the decision on children’s bedtimes rests with parents but emphasized the importance of school attendance on Monday morning.
A Downing Street spokesperson said:
"Parents will make their own decisions... We want everyone to enjoy the game, but children should be in school on Monday."
The National Education Union head offered stronger support for Tuchel’s comments.
Speaking to LBC Radio, National Education Union secretary Daniel Kebede suggested the education secretary should allow a "flexible start" on Monday morning.
However, skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith expressed reservations about the suggestion:
"I don't want to be a killjoy here, but I'll tell you what the biggest killjoy is – young people who then don't have the learning to be able to go on and do what they need to do in life.
I'll be having a little disco nap in the afternoon and I'll be celebrating our victory the next morning when I go into work, looking obviously as fresh as a daisy."
Extended Pub Hours for the Match
Separately, Sir Keir Starmer announced that pubs in England and Wales will be allowed to stay open until 05:00 on Monday, enabling fans to watch the Three Lions’ World Cup match.
The government had initially ruled out further relaxation of licensing laws beyond existing World Cup measures.
However, on Thursday, Starmer reversed the decision, permitting pubs to remain open until the final whistle.
How to Watch the Game Spoiler-Free
For those wishing to watch the England match without staying up until 03:00 on Monday morning, there are options to avoid spoilers.
The game will be broadcast live on BBC One and , with highlights available shortly after the final whistle.
The match highlights page on the app does not contain spoilers.
However, news of the England result will be widespread on Monday morning, so viewers should avoid social media, news apps, websites, group chats, and newspapers before watching.
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