England’s upcoming challenge at the FIFA World Cup is a Round of 16 match against Mexico. For many fans, this means a late-night viewing. The game kicks off at 1 a.m. in the U.K., so supporters may not get to bed until after 3 a.m. This timing could stretch further if the match goes into extra time or penalties. To accommodate fans, the British government has allowed pubs to stay open until 5 a.m. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, “Football might be coming home, but we’re making sure fans don’t have to.” This decision leads to the likelihood of fans continuing their celebrations—or recoveries—right before the workday starts.
Last Friday, discussions took place regarding a potential change to the England-Mexico kickoff due to storm threats in Mexico City. FIFA decided not to alter the schedule, keeping the match at 6 p.m. local time. Mexican coach Javier Aguirre mentioned that his team was reconsidering its routine based on potential new timings and noted that he was not consulted about possible changes.
All Play, No Work
Research by electrical retailer AO.com shows that more than a quarter (27%) of World Cup followers might call in sick or arrive late if England wins such a late match. Gill McAteer, Director of Employment Law, indicated there’s a “possibility” of increased absenteeism or late arrivals on Monday. McAteer noted, “We’ve already seen a rise in booked annual leave around England’s group games, but Monday is a different situation—there’s been far less notice to plan ahead.” Helen Watson, head of employment law at Aaron & Partners, suggested employers should handle such absences per standard procedures.
David D’Souza, director at the CIPD, stated that while employers are not required to make special arrangements for World Cup matches, they might choose flexibility if suitable for their business. D’Souza believes setting clear expectations is essential. McAteer added that accommodating plans could boost employee morale and reduce unexpected absences.
Inside Soccer Fans’ Game Plans
How are soccer fans managing? Paul Church, founder of Talent & Growth, plans to watch the match live, albeit regretfully. He expects only three hours of sleep, but as his own boss, he won’t need to call in sick. He notes the challenge of family commitments, saying, “Family life won’t stop for me.” His three-year-old child will wake him up early, leading to a standard workday from home. PR professional Tom Houghton plans to wake at 5 a.m. to watch the game as if live before working from home.
Nik Rahmel, managing a team of software engineers in London, adjusted his schedule to East Coast hours, moving morning meetings to 2 p.m. Companies have shared similar strategies on LinkedIn. Andrew Kuan from Influencer said his firm declared a work-from-home day for the match, allowing employees to enjoy the game. Though tempted, Kuan mentioned he intends to work after the match, regardless of how the game ends.
Another anonymous fan admitted they would watch live despite nerves about fatigue and the disappointment if England loses. For supporters, the question is England’s performance against Mexico. For employers, the real test could be how Monday morning unfolds.
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