"It's Coming Home"
But will your employees stay at home?
34.2 million Brits admit to skipping work or responsibilities to watch sporting events. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and major sporting events known to influence absenteeism, what impact could this have on your business’s daily productivity?
With Statutory Sick Pay now payable from day one, it’s possible that human behaviour may respond to this change by viewing it as an incentive to take a ‘free’ day off.
Absence may not be the only challenge though, matches taking place during working hours could also impact presenteeism, where employees are physically at work but distracted. In fact, 7.5 million football fans planned to watch every England match during the 2022 World Cup, even when games took place during working hours.
Late kick-offs could also present challenges. England’s first fixtures are scheduled between 9pm and 10pm, which may affect late shifts and early starters feeling the effects of late-night celebrations after a win. During the 2018 World Cup, one study found that one in ten people planned to call in sick if England beat Colombia.
With England reaching the Euro finals in 2020 and 2024, and the quarter-finals in the 2022 World Cup, there’s every chance the nation could once again progress to the later stages of the tournament. So, is your substitution bench prepared?
Our tips for managing your workforce during the World Cup 2026
As the World Cup approaches, it’s likely you’ll see an increase in holiday requests from employees keen to catch the matches. While planning ahead is encouraged, a surge in requests — especially if managed on a first come, first served basis — can leave some team members disappointed if they miss out. In some cases, this can lead to disengagement or even last-minute absences. To stay ahead, it’s important to set clear expectations early, consider fair rotation or flexible working options where possible, and plan resource levels in advance. Bringing in temporary staff can also provide a practical solution — ensuring your business continues to run smoothly while your team enjoys the tournament, without placing extra strain on those still working.
Even for those who aren’t able to take time off, the reality is many employees will still be following the matches during working hours — whether that’s checking scores, streaming games, or listening in. This can lead to presenteeism, where employees are physically at work but not fully focused, ultimately impacting productivity. Rather than resisting it entirely, a more balanced approach can be more effective. Where possible, consider allowing staff to watch key matches, listen via radio stations like TalkSport, or offer extended or flexible breaks around kick-off times. For remote teams, setting clear expectations and guidelines is key to maintaining accountability while still allowing some flexibility. By acknowledging the excitement and managing it proactively, businesses can maintain morale without losing momentum.
Following big match days, it’s not uncommon for businesses to face a spike in last-minute absences — whether genuine or not — leaving teams short-staffed at short notice. Having a plan in place is key. By preparing early and partnering with a recruitment agency, you can ensure there’s a pool of reliable, pre-vetted workers ready to step in and keep things running smoothly. The more notice you’re able to give, the more time the agency has to understand your business, your team, and your working environment — meaning they can provide candidates who are not only available, but the right fit. In fast-moving situations, preparation makes all the difference.
Lateness is another common challenge during major tournaments. With many matches scheduled late into the evening, employees often stay up to watch games. – 79% of Brits have admitted they’ll be happy to give up sleep to watch late matches. This can lead to late arrivals the following day. We’ve seen this pattern in previous tournaments, where even small increases in lateness can have a knock-on effect such as delaying shifts, disrupting handovers, and putting extra pressure on teams to keep operations running smoothly. Over time, this can impact productivity, service levels, and overall workflow if not planned for in advance.
If England go deep into the tournament, the impact on your workforce could be significant. After all, 54% of British employees admitted they were likely to skip work following the England vs Spain EURO 2024 final, and during the semi-finals, 1 in 3 Brits planned to pull a sickie or make an excuse just to catch the game. With numbers like that, it’s not something to leave to chance. Don’t risk being caught short — put a plan in place now to keep your business running smoothly. If you’d like to discuss temporary cover and how to stay prepared, our team is here to help.
