Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has made an unusual request ahead of the national team's first men's World Cup knock-out match since 1954, urging parents to let their children stay up a little longer.
Austria play European champions Spain in Inglewood near Los Angeles on Thursday with kick-off at 9 pm Austrian time (1900 GMT).
"Dear parents," the 82-year-old said in a video shared on his Facebook page. "Let them stay up a little longer on Thursday."
He added: "Yes, watching television late into the night is not good. I know that. But this time, turn a blind eye so that the children who want to can cheer on our national team live.
"You carry such memories with you for your whole life. And what's more, we are currently in the last days before the school holidays."
