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Employers warned over rise of “football sickies” during 2026 World Cup

Research from YouGov found that among Britons planning to follow the tournament, 26% said they would stay up past 11pm to watch matches live.

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Employers warned over rise of “football sickies” during 2026 World Cup
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UK employers are being warned to prepare for a potential rise in absence during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as overnight kick-off times threaten to disrupt working patterns.

Research from YouGov found that among Britons planning to follow the tournament, 26% said they would stay up past 11pm to watch matches live, while 12% said they would watch fixtures kicking off as late as 5am.

More than half (55%) of those intending to follow the tournament said they planned to watch matches live at home rather than catching up later.

The tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature fixtures taking place overnight for UK audiences due to time zone differences.

According to the research, 31% of Britons are already excited for the tournament, while online searches for the World Cup reached 7.8 million in the past month alone.

Workplace experts warned the tournament could create operational challenges for employers, including increased fatigue, short-notice absences, reduced productivity and greater workplace distraction.

William Stokes, CEO of Co-Space, said: “This won’t just be a football tournament, for many employers, it will become a real test of workplace culture, flexibility and trust.

“If England progress deep into the competition and matches are being watched at 1am, 2am or even 3am UK time, businesses should realistically expect some level of fatigue and distraction in the workplace.

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“We’re also likely to see an increase in sick days and last-minute absences in the run-up to the tournament itself, particularly once England’s fixtures are confirmed and excitement begins to build.”

He added: “The employers that handle this best will be the ones focusing on flexibility and output rather than punishing staff for being human.

“Trying to enforce rigid productivity expectations after major overnight fixtures could damage morale more than the football itself.

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“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.”

Stokes said: “Major international sporting tournaments have historically been linked to increases in short-notice annual leave requests, unauthorised absences, lower concentration levels and reduced productivity during working hours.

“The impact is unlikely to be limited to office-based environments, with remote workers also expected to face productivity challenges following overnight fixtures.

“I’d recommend businesses to consider flexible start times after major matches, temporary remote working allowances and avoiding unnecessary early-morning meetings following overnight fixtures.”

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