FIFA WORLD CUP In 2024, requests in the UK for annual leave rose 125 % for the day after the Euros final, according to data from BrightHR, while the day after the FIFA World Cup 2022 saw sickness absences spike by 254 % – even though England was no longer in the tournament.
Co-Space is encouraging businesses to consider flexible start times, hybrid and remote working policies over the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and reduce early-morning meetings following significant matches, to offer more flexibility while maintaining attendance and professionalism in the workplace.
Flexible working can also bring about a marked improvement to employee morale. Research from the CIPD finds that 80 % of employees say that working flexibly has had a positive impact on their quality of life, while a third say that working flexibly has had a positive impact on their career.
More than 40 % of employers also believe that an increase in hybrid working has led to increased productivity and efficiency in their organisation.
Discussing how policies such as these can improve employee morale in the short term, William said:“ Trying to enforce rigid productivity expectations after major overnight fixtures could damage morale more than the football itself.
“ At the same time, businesses still need clear boundaries. Showing up hungover, disrupting colleagues or abusing flexible working policies can quickly create resentment, especially among employees who have no interest in football.
“ The smartest employers will treat the World Cup as a short-term morale and engagement opportunity while still maintaining fairness and professionalism across the workplace.”
86 June 2026