World Cup 2026: 10 Drinking & Sleep Habits That Increase ED Risk

Excessive alcohol consumption and sleep disruption are two of the biggest lifestyle factors that contribute to erectile dysfunction among men and will likely be exacerbated during the 2026 World Cup.

In fact, new research, conducted by MedExpress, revealed that 52% of UK men believe the World Cup will disrupt their sleep routine, while almost two-fifths (38%) plan to watch the matches in alcohol centric venues such as pubs, bars, or fan zones, setting this year's tournament up to be one of the most disruptive periods for male sexual health.

The World Cup 2026 ED Risk: 10 Habits UK Men Are Ignoring This Summer

(MedExpress survey of 1,000 UK men, May 2026)

• Drinking alcohol during matches: 73% of UK men plan to drink during the 2026 World Cup
• Watching in pubs, bars or fan zones: 38% plan to watch in alcohol-centric venues, where drinking is harder to moderate
• Drinking on work nights: 34% plan to drink even when it's a late match and they're working the next day
• Drinking 3–4 pints per match: 35% plan to consume 3+ pints when watching a game
• Heavy drinking of 5+ pints per match: 22% plan to consume 5 or more pints per game
• Extreme drinking of 10+ pints: 5% plan to consume 10 or more pints during a single match
• Using recreational drugs: 5% admit they're more likely to use drugs such as cocaine while watching the World Cup
• Staying up late to watch matches: 59% plan to stay up late even on work nights, disrupting their sleep cycle
• Accepting sleep routine disruption: 52% believe the World Cup will negatively affect their sleep routine
• Ignoring what they already know: 88% of UK men are aware of the impact sleep and alcohol have on mood and intimacy, yet plan to continue these habits regardless

What our medical experts say about the impact of poor sleep, drugs and alcohol on erectile dysfunction

“ED is multifactorial, meaning it can have many contributing factors, for example, alcohol, drugs and poor sleep.” 

“Alcohol has a diuretic effect, meaning it can cause you to urinate more frequently and can result in dehydration. This will reduce blood volume and circulation to the penis and can also increase levels of angiotensin, a hormone associated with ED. Excessive alcohol consumption can also impair the central nervous system, slowing down the communication between the brain and the penis, resulting in erectile dysfunction (ED).”

“While not all recreational drugs have the same impact, the most common is the narrowing of the arteries, restricting blood flow to the penis. Some recreational drugs can also reduce libido, lower testosterone levels, and cause disruptions to brain chemistry and nerve signalling caused by the drugs themselves.”

“Sleep hygiene plays an important role in your vascular health, hormonal regulation and psychological well-being, all of which can impact ED. Observational studies have suggested that men who regularly have inadequate sleep routines are more likely to experience ED. Therefore, it’s reasonable to believe that disturbing this for a sustained period over summer could impact male sexual health.”

Attribution: Dr. Sophie Dix, Head of Medical Affairs

PhD Behavioural Neuroscience | MSc Neuroscience | BSc Anatomical Science

Dr. Sophie Dix is a behavioural neuroscientist. Working within the pharmaceutical industry, the charity sector and health technology, she has spent the last 25 years dedicated to understanding how to manage and treat conditions affecting the mind and body. Sophie is passionate about evidence and ensuring that those affected by illness have access to the right treatment at the right time.

Methodology

MedExpress conducted a nationwide representative survey, with 1000 male Brits, to reveal the impact the World Cup will have on the UK's alcohol, sleep and intimacy this summer.