The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to run from June 11 to July 19 across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, may cost employers around $17 billion globally due to workforce distractions and absenteeism [1, 2, 3]. The tournament will feature 48 nations competing in 104 games.
A survey by UKG, an AI platform specializing in HR and workforce management, polled 8,000 employees across Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Britain, and the U.S. It found 37% plan to adjust their work schedules because of the World Cup [1, 2, 3].
The study estimates productivity losses of $11.7 billion in the U.S. alone and about $1.34 billion in Germany [1, 2, 3]. 27% of workers say they are likely to miss work by arriving late, leaving early, or skipping shifts entirely [1, 2, 3]. An additional 11% admitted they would come to work hungover, and 14% intend to secretly stream matches or highlights during work hours [1, 2, 3].
Managerial staff also plan changes, with 42% expecting to take at least one day off and 45% seeking last-minute flexibility in their schedules during the tournament [1, 2, 3].
UKG Chief Product Officer Suresh Vittal said, "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" [1]. The same statement was given in simplified Chinese, reflecting the global reach of the study [3].
UKG published the survey results on June 2, just days before the tournament kickoff, providing timely insight into the challenges employers may face [1, 2, 3]. The World Cup matches will run through mid-July, leaving companies to grapple with potential disruptions throughout the event.
