The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here!
Whether you’re planning your evenings around every fixture or only tuning in when England progress, there’s no escaping the excitement a major tournament brings. With matches running from 11 June to 19 July, the World Cup is likely to have an impact on your workplace throughout the Summer.
From annual leave requests and shift swaps to sickness absence and flexible working arrangements, employers may face a few additional workforce challenges over the coming weeks.
The good news? With some forward planning and clear communication, you can support employee engagement while keeping your business running smoothly.
Get Ahead of the Fixture List
This year’s tournament is being hosted across Canada, Mexico and the USA, meaning UK kick-off times range from early evening through to the early hours of the morning.
As the competition progresses, some employees may be staying up later than usual to watch matches, particularly if their teams remain in the tournament.
Reviewing the fixture schedule now can help you anticipate increased holiday requests, fatigue-related issues and staffing pressures around key games.
Managing Annual Leave Requests Fairly
It’s perfectly reasonable for employees to want to use their annual leave to watch important matches if they want to – the key for employers is consistency.
Whatever approach you take for approval of annual leave during the tournament should be applied fairly across your workforce. Avoid preferential treatment based on which team someone supports-or whether they follow football at all.
Consider:
- Processing requests on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Using a fair rota system where multiple employees request the same dates.
- Communicating early if business needs mean requests cannot be accommodated.
- Remembering that employees may support a range of national teams.
Clear expectations can help minimise disappointment and avoid disputes.
Sickness Absence During the Tournament
Major sporting events often bring an increase in sickness absence, particularly following late-night matches.
While most absences will be genuine, employers should remain alert to any patterns that suggest otherwise.
We recommend:
- Reminding employees that attendance and sickness procedures remain unchanged.
- Monitoring absence trends.
- Conducting return-to-work meetings as normal.
- Addressing concerns promptly where patterns emerge.
- Following established procedures for unauthorised absence.
Consistency is key. If one employee’s absence is overlooked, it becomes much harder to manage similar situations fairly.
Alcohol and Fitness for Work
With matches taking place late into the evening – and sometimes overnight – some employees may be socialising more than usual.
Employers should take the opportunity to remind staff of their responsibilities regarding alcohol consumption and fitness for work.
Employees should understand that:
- They must not attend work under the influence of alcohol.
- Alcohol consumption during working hours, including while working remotely, is not permitted unless authorised.
- Breaches of workplace policies may result in disciplinary action.
A reminder before the tournament begins can help prevent issues later. It may also help to clearly clarify expectations for the morning after the games – and that employees are expected to function fully at work.
Consider Offering Some Flexibility
The World Cup only comes around once every four years, and a little flexibility can have a positive impact on morale and engagement.
Depending on your business needs, you may wish to consider:
- Flexible start and finish times.
- Temporary adjustments to working patterns.
- Shift swaps, subject to approval.
- Screening key matches in communal areas.
- Themed workplace activities or dress-down days.
The important thing is ensuring any flexibility offered is fair and accessible to everyone—not just football fans.
Social Media and Internet Usage
Employees may be more inclined to check scores, watch highlights or follow social media updates during working hours.
Now is a good opportunity to revisit your internet and social media policies and remind employees of expectations around appropriate use of company systems and working time.
Don’t Forget National Differences
Employers should remain mindful that not all employees will support England.
The Takeaway
The World Cup presents a great opportunity to boost engagement, bring teams together and create a positive workplace atmosphere.
The employers who navigate the tournament most successfully are usually those who strike the right balance between flexibility and consistency.
Our top tips:
- Plan ahead and communicate expectations early.
- Apply policies consistently.
- Be mindful of fairness and inclusion.
- Offer flexibility where possible.
- Address issues promptly and professionally.
If you’d like support reviewing your absence management procedures, flexible working arrangements or workplace policies ahead of the tournament, our team is here to help.
