World Cup 2026 fever at work: how to keep things fair, fun and productive

Now the knockout stages have started in the World Cup 2026 we thought it would be good to see how it can affect the workplace and what organisations can do to make it easier to navigate. With matches taking place across Canada, Mexico and the United States, UK employers may need to think about evening, late-night and early-morning kick-offs, as well as the inevitable excitement if home nations or popular teams make it through to the later stages.

Handled well, the World Cup can be a great chance to boost morale, bring people together and show a bit of flexibility. Handled badly, it can lead to grumbles about unfairness, last-minute absences, stretched teams and managers making decisions on the hoof. A little planning now can save a lot of stress later.

Start with a game plan

With teams now getting through to the later qualifying or knockout stages, requests for annual leave, shift swaps or flexible starts may come in quickly.

A short, friendly message to staff can work wonders. Let people know what is allowed, what still needs approval and what will depend on business needs. It does not need to be heavy-handed; it just needs to be clear.

Expect a rush for time off

As the tournament heats up, holiday requests may heat up too. This is especially likely if England and or Scotland, or another well-supported team progresses beyond the group stage. Once later fixtures are confirmed, some requests may also come in at short notice.

Your usual annual leave policy should still be your starting point, but it is worth thinking about how you will handle competing requests. First come, first served might be fine, but you may also need to think about minimum staffing levels, fairness across teams and whether any requests relate to caring responsibilities or other protected rights.

If you can be flexible, you could allow employees to take a couple of hours instead of a full day, make up time later, swap shifts or put in provisional requests for later-stage matches. Just make sure managers know the rules, so decisions do not feel random or unfair.

A bit of flexibility can go a long way

Flexible working can help avoid unnecessary disruption. Depending on your business, people might be able to start earlier, finish earlier, take a longer break, work from home, swap a shift or make time up later in the week.
Because World Cup 2026 is being played across North American time zones, some UK kick-offs may fall late at night or in the early hours. In practice, the biggest workplace impact might be the morning after a big match, particularly if it goes to extra time or penalties. A sensible approach to start times could make all the difference.

Can staff watch matches at work?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some workplaces might be able to show selected matches in a break room, allow staff to follow scores during breaks, or organise a team viewing for a big fixture. Others may not be able to do this because of customer commitments, shift patterns or the nature of the work.

Whatever you decide, spell it out. Can employees stream matches on work devices? Is the company Wi-Fi available for personal viewing? Are headphones acceptable? Does viewing time need to be taken as a break or made up later? Clear boundaries make life easier for everyone.

Watch out for the yellow cards

Internet, social media and personal devices

As the excitement builds, so will the temptation to stream matches, check live scores and chat about the action online. If you already have IT, social media and mobile phone policies, give employees a simple reminder before the tournament and again before the later stages if needed.

Sickness absence

Late-night fixtures and big knockout matches can sometimes lead to a few suspicious absences the next day. That said, avoid jumping to conclusions. Follow your normal sickness absence process, including reporting rules and return-to-work conversations. If there is evidence of misconduct, deal with it fairly and consistently.

Alcohol and conduct

Football can bring out plenty of passion, but normal standards of behaviour still apply. If employees are watching matches socially, especially where alcohol is involved, remind them that workplace conduct rules do not disappear. Banter should stay respectful, and managers should be ready to step in if things cross the line.

Last-minute fixture changes and business cover

Once teams get through to the later rounds, employers may have very little time to plan for the next fixture. It helps to know in advance which shifts, deadlines or customer commitments are business-critical, and where there is room to be flexible. A simple contingency plan can stop the excitement turning into a scramble.

Remember, not everyone loves football

It is easy to get swept up in the tournament, but not everyone will be interested and not everyone will support the same team. Keep any World Cup activity optional, inclusive and good-natured. A positive atmosphere can be brilliant for morale, but only if everyone feels comfortable and respected.

Quick tips for employers

It is worth keeping an eye on the fixture list as the tournament develops. For the latest confirmed fixtures, results and venues, check FIFA’s official World Cup 2026 match schedule HERE

  • Check the fixture schedule early and flag the matches most likely to affect your team.
  • Decide how you will handle annual leave, shift swaps and flexible working requests.
  • Agree what managers should do if requests come in quickly after a team qualifies for the next round.
  • Apply the same approach across teams, roles and locations wherever possible.
  • Be clear about whether match viewing is allowed during working time, breaks or only outside work.
  • Remind staff about IT, social media, mobile phone, absence and conduct policies.
  • Plan cover for key roles before the later stages begin.
  • Use the tournament as a chance to boost morale, if it works for your business.
  • Keep any special arrangements temporary, fair and subject to business needs.

Final whistle

The World Cup should be something people can enjoy, not something that causes confusion or conflict at work. With a bit of planning, clear communication and a fair approach, employers can keep the business running while still letting people enjoy the football.

If you would like help getting your workplace ready for World Cup 2026, New Dawn Resources can support you with practical, down-to-earth HR advice tailored to your organisation.

Why not contact one of our Business Partners today at [email protected] or call us on 01484 680098