Scotland are reportedly due to face Haiti on 13 June at Gillette Stadium, with a 9pm local start translating to 2am in Scotland on 14 June. The proposed bank holiday is understood to fall on the Monday, giving supporters extra recovery time after the overnight fixture.
Chris questioned whether that was necessary.
“I don't understand why they'd be getting a Bank Holiday on the Monday if the game is on the Saturday night into Sunday morning. They've still got 18 hours to recover.”
That argument will resonate with fans who have worked around early starts, long journeys and disrupted sleep for international tournaments.
The contrast is especially sharp for England fans, who have regularly watched late-night tournament matches before returning to work the next morning. The update says England’s group schedule includes a 10pm GMT meeting with Panama, while a possible last-16 tie in Mexico City could begin at 1am for supporters at home.
Chris believes the lack of similar treatment has become part of the rivalry.
“We've had to get up and nurse our heads after big games - semi-finals and finals. No Bank Holidays for us.”
There is also an obvious political and cultural dimension. Scotland’s reported arrangement is not simply about sleep; it gives the tournament a national importance that England fans believe has rarely been recognised, even after deep runs.
Scotland’s return to the World Cup, reportedly their first appearance since 1998, makes the decision a major talking point before a ball is kicked. The debate will probably fade quickly if the team advances, but every late-night fixture will keep the question alive.
The next test comes on 13 June: whether the bank holiday looks generous, sensible or unnecessary may depend on how Scotland perform against Haiti.