Published on 6/17/2026
World Cup matches attract millions of fans around the world, and match days turn into exceptional occasions during which patterns of sleep, food, and daily activities change.
While the public is experiencing an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, diabetics may face additional health challenges as a result of staying up late, being irritable, and changing meal times, which are factors that affect the stability of blood glucose levels and increase the possibility of a sudden rise or fall in blood sugar.
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These concerns are supported by the results of a study published by the journal Diabetologia, which linked sleep disturbance to poor control of sugar levels, while another study published by the journal Diabetic Medicine showed that irregular meals and changing eating times are linked to increased glucose fluctuations and poor control of the disease.
Disturbances of sleep and meals increase fluctuations
Dr. Fatima Al-Zahraa Noureddine, a family medicine consultant at a medical center in Qatar, says that major sporting tournaments such as the World Cup directly and significantly affect the routine of diabetics, and may lead to disturbances in blood glucose levels as a result of the interplay of multiple psychological, physical and behavioral factors.
She adds to Al Jazeera Net that staying up late and lack of sleep leads to what can be described as a “hormonal storm,” as the levels of some hormones rise, which increases the body’s resistance to insulin and affects the stability of sugar levels.
Emotion and psychological tension while watching matches also stimulate the secretion of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which may cause a sharp rise in blood sugar levels.
Recent research indicates that stress and acute emotions may stimulate the secretion of stress hormones, which raise sugar levels and increase the body’s resistance to insulin.
The family medicine consultant explained that changing meal times and irregular meals confuse the body’s sugar regulation mechanisms and make controlling it more difficult, pointing out that eating meals rich in carbohydrates, such as snacks, fast food, and sugary drinks, leads to rapid rises in glucose levels.
She pointed out that some patients may be busy watching matches at the expense of daily health care, which leads to forgetting to measure their blood sugar or missing doses of medications and insulin, which may cause dangerous fluctuation in sugar levels between high and low.
Categories that need double caution
She confirmed that the groups most vulnerable to complications are type 1 diabetics and type 2 diabetics, in addition to those with a recurring history of low blood sugar, explaining that these patients are more vulnerable to hypoglycemia when making sudden physical effort, such as celebrating matches or practicing physical activity, or when not eating a sufficient amount of food after insulin doses.
She warned that some patients who suffer from recurring bouts of collapse may not feel the warning symptoms of collapse due to preoccupation and excitement during matches, which may lead to fainting or loss of consciousness.
Also, patients who suffer from comorbidities, such as heart disease and high blood pressure, may have increased health risks as a result of the stress and intense emotions associated with major sporting events.
Healthy World Cup recipe for diabetics
Dr. Fatima Al-Zahraa presented a set of simple instructions that help diabetics enjoy matches safely, noting the importance of eating a balanced meal before the match, preparing an appropriate snack when needed, and making sure to drink water regularly, while avoiding sugary drinks and random snacks rich in carbohydrates.
She advised monitoring sugar levels before, during and after the match when needed, adhering to prescribed medications and not missing doses, with the need to consult a doctor regarding any possible adjustment in insulin doses or medications that stimulate insulin secretion during periods of change in the daily routine.
She stressed the importance of maintaining hydration and drinking sufficient amounts of water, in addition to ensuring psychological calm and avoiding excessive stress while following sports competitions, stressing that enjoying the World Cup atmosphere does not conflict with maintaining stable sugar levels, as long as the patient adheres to his treatment plan and his daily health needs.
