Football fever may cost workplaces billions during World Cup 2026

The approach of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is already prompting some workers to think about how to watch matches during the workday, including taking time off or, in some cases, calling in sick.

In a piece by Business Insider, Emily Stewart wrote that a friend texted her about “World Cup sick days,” while noting that ticket prices were still a barrier for some fans. Stewart said the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, will put many games in the middle of the workday and could unsettle workplaces across the event window.

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A spot of football fever at half past noon

Businesses should expect disruptions not only from employees who are attending matches or watching them on the clock but also from the travel congestion that often comes with major sporting events.

Bosses are already planning for traffic jams and tangled commutes in host cities. One estimate puts the potential cost of reduced productivity in the United States at $4.5 billion.

Businesses in countries with a stronger soccer culture often adjust more readily, while American interest is expected to rise because the World Cup is being staged on home soil.

Staff loyalties drift from spreadsheets to scorelines

A UKG survey of 8,000 workers across eight countries found that a third of respondents said they would likely take at least one day off because of the World Cup, while a quarter expected to miss part of a workday.

Twenty-five percent said they would “push the limits” of what their managers would tolerate, and 37% said they would try to adjust their schedules around the event. The survey also found notable differences by country: 42% of Mexican workers said they expected to take at least a day off, compared with 23% of Dutch respondents, while more than half of British workers said the country whose team wins should get a national holiday.

UKG chief product officer Suresh Vittal said that managers may feel they have more freedom to participate in the event than rank-and-file employees.

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The World Cup marches straight into office hours

Stewart also quoted employment attorney Marissa Mastroianni of Cole Schotz, who said companies should focus on planning for commuting problems and should consider letting employees work from home on match days where possible.

She said employers have limited ability to verify whether a worker who calls in sick is actually ill, because state laws restrict when medical notes can be requested.

The article also cited examples of workplace adaptation, including Heineken’s “fan volunteers” campaign, which encourages employees to use volunteer time off during World Cup games.

Large sporting events are meant to bring people together, but at this scale, they also create real logistical problems for employers.