The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is anticipated to be a thrilling event for soccer enthusiasts. However, a recent survey by workforce management company UKG indicates that it may pose significant challenges for employers, particularly in the United States.
Impact on U.S. Workforce
According to the survey, the World Cup could result in approximately $11.7 billion in lost productivity in the United States alone. This is part of a broader estimate of at least $17 billion in productivity losses worldwide. The survey, which included responses from 8,000 workers across eight countries, found that 37% of employees globally plan to alter their work schedules during the tournament. Additionally, 27% of respondents indicated they might miss work by arriving late, leaving early, or skipping shifts altogether.
The World Cup is scheduled to run for 39 days, and its timing could lead to various workplace disruptions. About 14% of workers admitted they plan to secretly stream games or highlights while on the clock. Furthermore, 22% of employees expect to work while tired or exhausted, and 11% confessed they might show up to work hungover during the tournament.
Broader Implications for Employers
The survey also highlighted potential retention concerns for employers. Nearly 20% of employees surveyed expressed that they would consider looking for a new job if their work schedule negatively impacted their ability to follow the World Cup. This sentiment underscores the importance of flexible scheduling during such major events.
Interestingly, managers themselves may contribute to scheduling challenges. The survey revealed that supervisors are significantly more likely than non-managers to request time off or seek schedule flexibility during the tournament.
Among the countries surveyed, Germany could face about $1.34 billion in productivity losses, while the United Kingdom might see roughly $912 million in losses. Other countries included in the study were Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, and the Netherlands.
UKG’s Chief Product Officer, Suresh Vittal, commented on the findings, stating, “What makes the World Cup so relevant is that it reflects a challenge that organizations face every day: work changes by the hour in frontline-heavy organizations, and static planning creates an execution gap.”
Original reporting: WQAD (Quad Cities) — read the source article.
