How to enjoy the World Cup - and keep your boss on side
Summary
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place across the US, Canada, and Mexico with late kick-off times that affect UK workers' sleep and productivity. Some employees are booking time off or asking for flexible work hours, while some companies are adjusting policies to allow workers to watch games and maintain morale.Key Facts
- The World Cup matches for England and Scotland start very late, between 9 PM and 2 AM UK time.
- Scottish fans have a one-time national bank holiday on June 15 to celebrate Scotland’s World Cup participation.
- Pubs in the UK will stay open later than usual during knockout stage matches to accommodate fans.
- Some workers have pre-booked leave or are negotiating flexible hours because of late kick-offs.
- Experts expect around 1.5 million UK workers may call in sick during the tournament, causing significant lost productivity.
- UK employers could lose approximately £681 million due to reduced work output linked to the World Cup.
- Some companies, like a digital agency in Birmingham, are offering flexible work hours to let employees watch games and maintain transparency about their schedules.
- The policy adjustment aims to support employee morale and enjoyment during the tournament.
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