The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to generate at least $17 billion in lost workplace productivity globally, according to research from UKG released ahead of the event.
The survey of 8,000 employees across Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, the U.K. and the U.S. finds 37% of workers plan to adjust their schedules during the 39-day tournament. More than a quarter (27%) expect to miss work altogether by coming in late, leaving early or taking the day off.
Some 26% say they plan to push the limits of what their employers say is acceptable, including 14% who intend to secretly stream matches while on the clock. Meanwhile, 22% expect to show up exhausted and 11% said they plan to work while hungover. Some people are even willing to risk their jobs for the event, with 19% of employees sharing they would consider looking for a new job if their work schedule negatively affects their World Cup experience.
Country-level productivity loss estimates reflect both wage data and survey responses:
- U.S.: $11.7 billion.
- Germany: $1.34 billion
- U.K.: $912 million
- France: $749 million
- Australia: $653 million
- Canada: $479 million
- Netherlands: $388 million
- Mexico: $369 million
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What managers can expect
Managers are significantly more likely than individual contributors to request last-minute flexibility, plan a day off and seek schedule changes in advance. The people responsible for maintaining coverage are also the most likely to need it themselves.
“When absenteeism and presenteeism hit at scale, the effect is immediate and expensive. Productivity drops, customer experience suffers and morale takes a hit as the rest of the team is left to cover the gaps,” said Suresh Vittal, chief product officer at UKG, in response to the study. He said that leaders of frontline teams should be prepared to adapt and be flexible as a “strategy to protect both employee trust and the bottom line.”
Because the World Cup schedule is only partially known in advance, HR leaders have a planning window now for the earliest matches, but will need real-time agility as the bracket develops. Organizations with frontline or shift-based workforces face the most immediate exposure.
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