Matches played in North America may fall in the middle of the night or during the early morning for fans several time zones ahead. That makes live viewing a daily test rather than a simple entertainment choice.
The figure matters because it represents a majority of the global population. The World Cup is designed as a shared event, but its location inevitably gives some regions a far more comfortable viewing routine than others.
The report says the heaviest burden falls on large audiences in Asia and the Pacific, where supporters face late nights, disrupted sleep and difficult decisions about whether to watch live or catch up later.
That choice can change the experience of a tournament. Watching a replay protects work and school schedules, but it also risks spoilers and removes the shared tension of following a match as it unfolds. Fan conversations, watch parties and social-media reactions are built around simultaneity; inconvenient kick-offs weaken that connection.
The review’s comparison with previous World Cups also frames the issue as structural rather than linked to one fixture. When football’s biggest tournament moves across continents, the clock becomes part of the competition.
Kick-off times must balance broadcasters, stadium conditions and local audiences, so there is no schedule that satisfies everyone. But organisers and broadcasters can reduce the damage with rapid full-match replays, condensed highlights and viewing options designed for supporters outside the host region.
As the next round of fixtures arrives, the storyline will extend beyond which teams advance. The tournament will also be judged by whether fans on the least convenient side of the clock can remain part of the live global conversation.