World Cup expected to influence UK working patterns

The 2026 FIFA World Cup could have a noticeable impact on UK workplace attendance, with new research suggesting that many employees plan to adjust their working day around late-night matches.

The tournament will be hosted across North America, which means some fixtures, including England matches, are likely to take place in the evening or late at night for UK viewers. According to a survey of 2,000 UK office workers by Matrix Booking and WORKTECH Academy, 59% expect England’s evening fixtures to affect their workday in some way.

Rather than taking full days off, many employees said they would make smaller adjustments. These include working from home, starting later than usual, rearranging meetings or expecting to be less productive after a late match. Only a small number said they would take annual leave or call in sick.

The findings underline how established flexible and hybrid working have become. For many employees, adapting working hours or location around major events is now seen as a practical option rather than a special request.

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