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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

World Cup is on my birthday

199 replies

rainsbows · 07/12/2025 07:02

One of England’s group games is on my birthday. H has already added it to the calendar. I hate football with a passion and he knows this. Aibu to want him to celebrate my birthday with me rather than be glued to the tv??

OP posts:
Soonenough · 07/12/2025 07:03

No . You will have a birthday next year. You are an adult .

PersephoneParlormaid · 07/12/2025 07:04

YABVU. Celebrate with friends instead, or on another day. I’ve never understood why adults get so het up about a birthday, and TBH it sounds a tad controlling.

rainsbows · 07/12/2025 07:06

Really?! I’m being unreasonable to want my husband to prioritise his wife over the football. Really??

OP posts:
MummyInTheNecropolis · 07/12/2025 07:07

A football match is only 90 minutes, there are another 22.5 hours of the day to celebrate, surely he can do both?

EleanorReally · 07/12/2025 07:07

the world cup is every 4 years
your birthday is every year normally
can't you celebrate on the sunday or the friday?

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 07/12/2025 07:07

Ugh, adults being prissy about birthdays

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 07/12/2025 07:08

Honestly he is going to do what he wants.

If you drag him away you'll be annoyed he didnt pick you first, he'll resent it and be staring at his phone "in secret" and your birthday will be still be shitty.

You know now, factor him out of the plans
My birthday would be spent in a spa hotel (or wherever) with a friend or my mum farrrr away from football (which I give ZERO fucks about).
id do something with my dh a few days later.

Twilightstarbright · 07/12/2025 07:08

The football is 2 hours so plenty of time to celebrate both? I share my birthday with two family members and my best friend so I’m pretty used to the day not being just about me. I normally choose another day close by to make into my day.

LovelyDonkey · 07/12/2025 07:08

YABVU

rainsbows · 07/12/2025 07:09

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 07/12/2025 07:07

Ugh, adults being prissy about birthdays

Ugh, adults being obsessive over something that is literally, a game.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 07/12/2025 07:10

I take it your husband is selfish? That being the case, forcing him to do something he doesn’t want to do, isn’t going to be fun for you.

I saw a video the other day along the lines of ‘can you imagine in there was a program on tv that women wanted to watch, that had to be prioritised above everything else, that all responsibilities were forgotten about, and the result of the program could end in you beating up your husband.’

Lennonjingles · 07/12/2025 07:10

I’ve been with my DH 47 years, football is his passion, along with my 2 adult sons. Holidays and family events are all arranged around football, but it’s a better hobby to have this hobby than a lot of others. Most of the games are going to be unsociable hours and we are on holiday in the UK during some of them, so will be interesting.

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 07/12/2025 07:10

Let him have his match. You have plenty of hours left in the day to celebrate.

oneplustwoplustwoplusone · 07/12/2025 07:12

Is it a big birthday? If yes stake your claim about what you want to do to celebrate now.

If not, kick off is not til 9pm at the earliest so you have the whole day to celebrate.

IdreamedAdreamINtimesGONEby · 07/12/2025 07:13

@rainsbows I don't particularly like football, and this would annoy me too.

However, I think like PP has said, if you ask him to spend the match with you instead then it will lead to an uncomfortable time - resentment, sneaky watching etc.

I'd say it's a good thing you know in advance, just factor it in to your day.
Do you know what time it is? Just plan something that you'd like to do that day with a couple of hours left for football.

rainsbows · 07/12/2025 07:13

oneplustwoplustwoplusone · 07/12/2025 07:12

Is it a big birthday? If yes stake your claim about what you want to do to celebrate now.

If not, kick off is not til 9pm at the earliest so you have the whole day to celebrate.

Not when we both work full time. At best it would be a rushed dinner with him clock watching to get back.its 9pm kickoff.

OP posts:
IdreamedAdreamINtimesGONEby · 07/12/2025 07:16

Just seen above post - 9pm.

In that case I'd take a half day annual leave (or whole day - I never work on my birthday!) go out for a lovely long lunch or cinema, or paddle boarding or other afternoon activity or what ever you want to do on your birthday, and then a picky tea and either then go out for drinks with friends (to someone's house or a non-tv pub) or if you're someone who like a movie I'd just snuggle away with a movie I'd like in bed all toasty warm with some wine and enjoy a movie whilst your husband watches the game.

rainsbows · 07/12/2025 07:17

IdreamedAdreamINtimesGONEby · 07/12/2025 07:16

Just seen above post - 9pm.

In that case I'd take a half day annual leave (or whole day - I never work on my birthday!) go out for a lovely long lunch or cinema, or paddle boarding or other afternoon activity or what ever you want to do on your birthday, and then a picky tea and either then go out for drinks with friends (to someone's house or a non-tv pub) or if you're someone who like a movie I'd just snuggle away with a movie I'd like in bed all toasty warm with some wine and enjoy a movie whilst your husband watches the game.

I’m not allowed to take time off (teacher).

OP posts:
Westfacing · 07/12/2025 07:18

If he's otherwise a good husband I think you're being very unreasonable.

Unless you're a teacher, could you both take AL that day so plenty of time to celebrate.

As an adult I don't think you should be too precious about your birthday - the World Cup is every four years.

EleanorReally · 07/12/2025 07:19

you must have had football on your birthday in the past?

rainsbows · 07/12/2025 07:21

But it’s a GAME! Not even the quarters, it’s a group GAME. Surely any decent person would prioritise their partner over a GAME.

OP posts:
Jellybunny56 · 07/12/2025 07:21

YABU, I don’t watch the football but can appreciate the World Cup matches are not an every day thing and wouldn’t be bothered about this.

Ellie1015 · 07/12/2025 07:21

Imagine it was an activity you really wanted to attend on your dh's birthday? Eg your friend has a spare concert for your favourite artist, only in town one night. All of your good friends are going together and it will be a memorable experience.

Would he expect you to miss it for going out for dinner on his 33rd birthday? Or would you celebrate his birthday a different day?

Luxio · 07/12/2025 07:22

Why not just have a meal out at the weekend like most people do to celebrate their birthdays when they are adults who work all day?

EleanorReally · 07/12/2025 07:22

scotland's kick off is 2 am
that is so unfair

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