FIFA WORLD CUP
lmost half of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches are taking place during standard US working hours. This can create challenges for HR leaders – with significant potential for widespread workplace distraction. According to research conducted by Heineken, more than half of US desk workers admit that they have lied to their employer in order to watch an international football match.
Additionally, when an international football match that an employee cares about airs during the middle of the workday, three quarters of US desk workers say they find themselves constantly or multiple times throughout‘ secretly’ checking scores or even secretly watching matches at their desk – significantly impacting workforce productivity.
Corporate responses to massive global events such as this have typically focused on risk mitigation – with strict monitoring and rigid enforcement of attendance policies in place to avoid a dip in operational output.
However, some organisations are going against this approach. Instead of treating major tournaments as disruptions to be managed, some leadership teams are instead viewing them as mechanisms to build internal community, enhance employee retention and re-energise the workforce.
This allows employees’ passions and interests to be channelled into structured workforce engagement.
Managing workplace productivity and trust When employees feel compelled to deceive management, company culture and trust can be damaged.
A survey from Glassdoor found that 49 % of people admit to lying at work. Of that group, 44 % say they did so to avoid getting into trouble – suggesting a prevalence of workplaces that lack trust.
Companies that acknowledge that employees will find ways to follow cultural moments such as the World Cup regardless of company mandates can create policies
80 June 2026