FIFA WORLD CUP

of US desk workers admit they have lied to their employer in order to watch an international football match

Source: Heineken

A test of workplace flexibility But a lack of concentration isn’ t confined to just the US, where matches fall over working hours. In the UK, some matches will be starting as late as two in the morning, with flexible workspace specialists Co-Space warning that employees may be demonstrating increased absenteeism and showing signs of reduced concentration and fatigue, as they balance overnight viewing with work.

William Stokes, CEO of Co-Space, told Personnel Today that the FIFA World Cup 2026 could act as a“ real test of workplace culture, flexibility and trust”.

He suggests that employers should take into account that they may see higher levels of distraction and increases in sick leave across the UK – particularly if England or Scotland make significant progress.

According to a YouGov poll, more than half of people in the UK planning to follow the FIFA World Cup 2026 say that they intend to watch the matches live, rather than catching up later. More than a quarter of those fans said they would stay up beyond 11pm to watch matches, and 12 % said they would watch matches that started at 5am.

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