UKG warns World Cup may trigger $17 billion in global workplace productivity losses across multiple countries

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – The FIFA World Cup is expected to capture the attention of billions of fans worldwide, filling stadiums, homes, restaurants, and public viewing areas with excitement. But while the tournament promises unforgettable moments on the pitch, new research suggests it could also create a significant challenge for employers struggling to keep their workforces productive during one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.

According to a new study from UKG, the global soccer tournament may lead to at least $17 billion in lost productivity across several major economies. The findings are based on a survey of 8,000 employees in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The United States is projected to bear the largest share of those losses, accounting for an estimated $11.7 billion. Germany follows with approximately $1.34 billion, while the United Kingdom could see losses reach $912 million. France is expected to lose around $749 million, Australia $653 million, Canada $479 million, the Netherlands $388 million, and Mexico $369 million.

The report paints a picture of workplaces preparing for a month-long event that may prove difficult to balance with daily business demands. Unlike many major sporting occasions that last only a few days, the World Cup stretches across 39 days, creating repeated disruptions as fans follow matches, celebrate victories, and react to unexpected outcomes.

UKG says the tournament represents more than a sports spectacle. It serves as a real-world test of how organizations respond when employee interests, scheduling demands, and operational requirements collide.

“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,” said Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at UKG. “The World Cup is more than a global cultural event people want to be part of. It is a real workforce planning test that can strain performance, productivity, communication, and even retention if it is not proactively managed.”

The survey results suggest many workers are already planning to adjust their routines during the tournament. More than one-third of employees worldwide, or 37%, said they expect to modify their work schedules because of World Cup matches.

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At the same time, over a quarter of respondents indicated they may miss work in some form. This includes arriving late, leaving early, or skipping work entirely to follow the action.

For employers, the challenge extends beyond simple absenteeism.

Researchers found that many employees expect to remain on the job while being distracted by the tournament. About 14% admitted they plan to secretly stream matches or highlights while working. Overall, 26% said they expect to push workplace boundaries and test what managers will allow during the competition.

The study also highlighted concerns about employee fatigue. More than one in five workers surveyed said they expect to show up tired or exhausted because of tournament-related activities. Another 11% acknowledged they could report to work while dealing with a hangover.

While employees may technically be present, reduced focus and energy levels can create productivity problems that are harder to measure than simple absences.

“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 Vittal. “Leaders with frontline teams need to plan today with the ability to manage disruption quickly, adapt coverage in real time, and use flexibility as a strategy to protect both employee trust and the bottom line.”

The research also revealed a potential long-term concern for employers: employee retention.
A significant number of workers appear willing to reconsider their jobs if workplace policies interfere too heavily with their World Cup experience. Nearly four in ten respondents said they do not believe their employer will pay much attention to the tournament or its impact on employees.

More notably, 19% said they would consider looking for a new job if their work schedule negatively affected their ability to enjoy the World Cup.

Those findings suggest that employers may face a delicate balancing act. On one hand, businesses must maintain staffing levels and operational performance. On the other, employees increasingly expect flexibility and understanding around major life events and cultural moments.

Interestingly, managers themselves may contribute to scheduling pressures.

Compared with non-managers, managers were significantly more likely to plan time away from work during the tournament. The survey found that 42% of managers expect to take a day off compared with 24% of non-managers. Managers were also more likely to request schedule adjustments ahead of time and seek last-minute flexibility when matches create conflicts with work obligations.

Overall, one-third of all respondents said they expect to take at least one day off during the World Cup.

This creates what many organizations may see as a difficult planning environment. Employees at every level, including those responsible for overseeing teams, could be seeking accommodations at the same time.

Yet UKG argues that many of these disruptions are not entirely unpredictable.

Although some tournament outcomes cannot be anticipated, the event’s schedule provides employers with an opportunity to prepare in advance. Companies that build flexibility into staffing plans and monitor workforce needs in real time may be better positioned to manage periods of increased demand or unexpected absences.

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The report suggests that proactive planning could help organizations avoid larger operational problems as the tournament progresses.

“The World Cup is a test of how well organizations can respond when conditions change fast,” added Vittal. “Employers do not need to trade productivity for flexibility. They need the discipline to plan ahead, the insight to act as every shift unfolds, and the execution muscle to convert pressure into performance, just like the world’s top soccer stars.”

As anticipation for the tournament continues to build around the globe, businesses may soon find themselves confronting a challenge that extends far beyond the soccer field. For millions of workers, the World Cup is a once-every-four-years celebration. For employers, it may become a critical test of workforce planning, adaptability, and the ability to keep operations running smoothly while employees keep one eye firmly fixed on the beautiful game.