{"id":16741,"date":"2026-04-28T21:04:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T21:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=16741"},"modified":"2026-04-28T21:04:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T21:04:22","slug":"world-cup-2026-employers-guide-to-workplace-implications","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/world-cup-2026-employers-guide-to-workplace-implications\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2026: Employers&#8217; guide to workplace implications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b5fc8583 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<p class=\"\">by <strong>Stephen Simpson<\/strong>, Brightmine Principal Editor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong>The 2026 World Cup football tournament kicks off in June with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in Mexico City. Hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada it will be the biggest ever World Cup as 48 nations compete &#8211; up from 32 &#8211; between 11 June and 19 July 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers should plan ahead to make the most of the impact that this large sporting event can have on staff morale, while also planning ahead to minimise disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers are likely to see a significant amount of interest among their workforces in the World Cup 2026, particularly given that both England and Scotland have qualified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">That said, because of the time difference, the 104 football matches mainly take place late evening or early morning, with games kicking off between 5pm and 5am. See England and Scotland&#8217;s fixtures below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1think-about-staff-morale\">1. Think about staff morale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers can use the tournament to raise their workforce&#8217;s morale. Provided that operational needs allow, employers can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Screen key matches in the workplace<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Allow employees to watch games together during working hours (for hybrid or remote workers, this could include arranging remote &#8220;watch-alongs&#8221;)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Permit special decorations to be temporarily displayed in workplaces (such as flags of participating countries)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Temporarily relax dress codes (for example, allowing football shirts to be worn)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Workplace events related to the World Cup should therefore be optional and workers should not be disadvantaged or derided if they do not want to take part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2increase-working-hours-flexibility-during-the-tou\">2. Increase working hours flexibility during the tournament<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">To further improve morale and boost employee relations, employers may permit temporary changes to working patterns to allow employees to watch games. For example, employers could let employees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Finish early to watch an early-evening game; or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Take a couple of hours off to watch a match and make up the lost time later<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers may see an increase in holiday requests from employees who want time off to watch matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers could be flexible with holiday requests &#8211; for example, by allowing requests at short notice where this is feasible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3maintain-workforce-productivity-during-the-matche\">3. Maintain workforce productivity during the matches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Some employers may experience a reduction in productivity because employees are watching matches when they should be working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This could become a particular problem when the employee is working from home, and the employer has less control over their activities during working hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">It is a good idea for employers to remind employees in advance of the World Cup, or in advance of key games, that they should not be watching the football when they should be working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers can also warn employees about unauthorised absence, for example pulling a sickie to watch games, or taking sick leave on the day after a game because they have a hangover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4beware-the-risk-of-discrimination-during-2026-wor\">4. Beware the risk of discrimination during 2026 World Cup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers need to be aware of the potential discrimination issues that could arise. In particular, employers should ensure that: if they offer special arrangements for home nation fans, such as increased flexible working, they offer the same arrangements to fans from other countries; and staff are made aware that harassment linked to the event, for example hostile or racist remarks about a particular country, will not be tolerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5remind-employees-of-their-responsibilities-outsid\">5. Remind employees of their responsibilities outside work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Matches will be shown in public places across the UK such as pubs and fan parks, where alcohol will be plentiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">News of incidents and bad behaviour can spread like wildfire on social media. To reduce the risk of reputational damage, it is good practice for employers to remind employees that they should behave themselves outside work when watching the football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">It is settled case law that employers can take disciplinary action for misconduct outside work, and this is a potentially fair reason for dismissal. In the key case Post Office v Liddiard, the Court of Appeal accepted that an employee was fairly dismissed after his involvement in football hooliganism brought his employer into disrepute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"world-cup-2026england-and-scotland-fixturesbst\">World Cup 2026: England and Scotland fixtures (BST)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"group-stagesconfirmed\">Group stages (confirmed)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Haiti v\u00a0<strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Sunday 14 June, Boston, 2:00am (Saturday night)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0v Croatia &#8211; Wednesday 17 June, Dallas, 9:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0v Morocco &#8211; June 19, Boston, 11:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0v Ghana &#8211; June 23, Boston, 9:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0v Brazil &#8211; June 24, Miami, 11:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Panama v\u00a0<strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; June 27, New York\/New Jersey, 10:00pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"knockout-phaseif-teams-win-group-and-proceed\">Knockout phase (if teams win group and proceed)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0v TBC &#8211; Monday 29 June, Houston, 6:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0v TBC &#8211; Wednesday 1 July, Atlanta, 5:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0v TBC &#8211; Sunday 5 July, New York\/New Jersey, 9:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">TBC v\u00a0<strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Monday 6 July, Mexico City, 1:00am (Sunday night)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Quarter-final:\u00a0<strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0v\u00a0<strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Saturday 11 July, Miami, 10:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Semi-final:\u00a0<strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0v TBC &#8211; Wednesday 15 July, Atlanta, 8:00pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"knockout-phaseif-teams-are-second-in-group-and-pro\">Knockout phase (if teams are second in group and proceed)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">TBC v\u00a0<strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Tuesday 30 June, Monterrey, 2:00am (Monday night)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">TBC v\u00a0<strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Friday 3 July, Toronto, 12:00am (Thursday night)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">TBC v\u00a0<strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Saturday 4 July, Houston, 6:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0v TBC &#8211; Monday 6 July, Dallas, 8:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Quarter-final: TBC v\u00a0<strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Thursday 9 July, Boston, 9:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Quarter-final:\u00a0<strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0v TBC &#8211; Friday 10 July, Los Angeles, 8:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Semi-final:\u00a0<strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0v\u00a0<strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Tuesday 14 July, Dallas, 8:00pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"knockout-phaseif-teams-are-third-and-still-proceed\">Knockout phase (if teams are third and still proceed)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">TBC vs\u00a0<strong>Scotland\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211; Wednesday 1 July, Mexico City, 2:00am (Tuesday night)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">TBC v\u00a0<strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Saturday 4 July<strong>,<\/strong>\u00a0Kansas City, 2:30am (Friday night)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0v TBC &#8211; Monday 6 July, Mexico City, 1:00am (Sunday night)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">TBC v\u00a0<strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Tuesday 7 July, Vancouver, 9:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Quarter-final: TBC v\u00a0<strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Saturday 11 July, Miami, 10:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Quarter-final: TBC v\u00a0<strong>England<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Sunday 12 July, Kansas City, 2:00am (Saturday night)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Semi-final:\u00a0<strong>Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0v\u00a0<strong>England\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211;\u00a0Wednesday 15 July, Atlanta, 8:00pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-games\">Final games<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Third-place play-off<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0Saturday 18 July, Miami, 10:00pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>2026 World Cup Final<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Sunday 19 July, New York\/New Jersey, 8:00pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><em>This article is based on previous versions written for other major football tournaments.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-db4c44a6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b827052 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:5px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400\" class=\"\">In this resource:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#1think-about-staff-morale\">1. Think about staff morale<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"http:\/\/2increase-working-hours-flexibility-during-the-tou\">2. Increase working hours flexibility during the tournament<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#3maintain-workforce-productivity-during-the-matche\">3. Maintain workforce productivity during the matches<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#4beware-the-risk-of-discrimination-during-2026-wor\">4. Beware the risk of discrimination during 2026 World Cup<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#5remind-employees-of-their-responsibilities-outsid\">5. Remind employees of their responsibilities outside work<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#world-cup-2026england-and-scotland-fixturesbst\">World Cup 2026: England and Scotland fixtures (BST)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a36fa716 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Navigate HR complexity with confidence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">With Brightmine, you can build powerful people strategies, implement best practices and set your organisation up for a brighter future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Learn how our tools, resources and automation can empower you and your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/solutions\/?intcmp=cta|blog|solutions|learn-more\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"#top\">Go back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b7a3f7f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You may also be interested in&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n<section id=\"resources-search-filter\" class=\"wp-elements-1a99c58b114097d7ed01b37dda17e8f9 wp-block-brightmine-resources-filter has-text-color has-primary-gray-color has-background has-primary-white-background-color\">\n\n\n<div class=\"ajax-filter\">\n<div class=\"lnrs-resources-search-filter   \">\n\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_bottom\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_left\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_result_count\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_right\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"loader-container\">\n\t\t<span class=\"loader\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-filter-widget__container\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #f3f2f0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/world-cup-2026-employers-guide-to-workplace-implications\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2001\/05\/02090540\/soccer-players-competing-for-ball-during-match.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Commentary and Insights<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/world-cup-2026-employers-guide-to-workplace-implications\/\">World Cup 2026: Employers&#8217; guide to workplace implications<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #202526\">Major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup can affect attendance, productivity and employee relations. This guide &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #f3f2f0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/managing-sickness-absence\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/16174236\/feature-hybrid-employee-calling-in-sick-1200x627px.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Commentary and Insights<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/managing-sickness-absence\/\">Managing sickness absence: Tools HR professionals rely on<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #202526\">Managing sickness absence relies on more than return\u2011to\u2011work meetings alone. Drawing on insights from HR professionals, this article &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #f3f2f0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/talent-acquisition\/onboarding\/probation-policy\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/20144536\/two-male-students-discussing-hr.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Tools &amp; templates<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/talent-acquisition\/onboarding\/probation-policy\/\">Probation policy<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #202526\">A clear, practical probation policy to help you manage performance, make fair decisions, and reduce legal and employee &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fcdab8bb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-658170e2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-thumbnail is-resized is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/18065019\/Stephen-Simpson-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Stephen Simpson, Acting content manager - employment law and compliance at Brightmine\" class=\"wp-image-8924\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/18065019\/Stephen-Simpson-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/18065019\/Stephen-Simpson-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/18065019\/Stephen-Simpson-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/18065019\/Stephen-Simpson.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Stephen Simpson<\/strong><br>Principal Editor &#8211; Employment Law and Compliance, Brightmine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Stephen is a principal editor who has worked on the Brightmine employment law and leading practice resources for over 20 years. After growing up in Northern Ireland in the 1980s, he trained as a solicitor in England in the 1990s but soon moved into legal publishing. He was among the first recruits to Brightmine in the year before it was launched as XpertHR in 2002.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Stephen has worked on a wide range of employment law and leading practice resources, including overseeing the creation and expansion of the HR templates resource types (Policies and procedures, Letters and forms, and Contract clauses). He has written up over 1,000 reports on employment law cases and created practical guidance on a range of HR issues for the Commentary &amp; insights tool. He also had a stint working on Personnel Today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Connect with Stephen on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/stephen-simpson-editor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0fd240ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" id=\"newsletter\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">Sign up to receive expert HR insights from Brightmine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ebe15cfa 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value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_content\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_content_type\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_content_type\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"Source\" \/>\n\n<div class=\"c-grid  form-fields\">\n<div class=\"form-inputs-container\">\n<div class=\"inputs-container\">\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"firstName\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"35\" minlength=\"2\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"FirstName\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"firstName\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"EmailAddress\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"320\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Business email address\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"EmailAddress\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Country\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select wpcf7-validates-as-required\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"Country\"><option value=\"\">Your country \/ region<\/option><option value=\"United Kingdom\">United Kingdom<\/option><option value=\"United States\">United States<\/option><option value=\"Afghanistan\">Afghanistan<\/option><option value=\"Aland Islands\">Aland Islands<\/option><option value=\"Albania\">Albania<\/option><option value=\"Algeria\">Algeria<\/option><option value=\"American Samoa\">American Samoa<\/option><option value=\"Andorra\">Andorra<\/option><option value=\"Angola\">Angola<\/option><option value=\"Anguilla\">Anguilla<\/option><option value=\"Antarctica\">Antarctica<\/option><option value=\"Antigua and Barbuda\">Antigua and Barbuda<\/option><option value=\"Argentina\">Argentina<\/option><option value=\"Armenia\">Armenia<\/option><option value=\"Aruba\">Aruba<\/option><option value=\"Australia\">Australia<\/option><option value=\"Austria\">Austria<\/option><option value=\"Azerbaijan\">Azerbaijan<\/option><option value=\"Bahamas\">Bahamas<\/option><option value=\"Bahrain\">Bahrain<\/option><option value=\"Bangladesh\">Bangladesh<\/option><option value=\"Barbados\">Barbados<\/option><option value=\"Belarus\">Belarus<\/option><option value=\"Belgium\">Belgium<\/option><option value=\"Belize\">Belize<\/option><option value=\"Benin\">Benin<\/option><option value=\"Bermuda\">Bermuda<\/option><option value=\"Bhutan\">Bhutan<\/option><option value=\"Bolivia, Plurinational State\">Bolivia, Plurinational State<\/option><option value=\"Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba\">Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba<\/option><option value=\"Bosnia and Herzegovina\">Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/option><option value=\"Botswana\">Botswana<\/option><option value=\"Bouvet Island\">Bouvet Island<\/option><option value=\"Brazil\">Brazil<\/option><option value=\"British Indian Ocean Territory\">British Indian Ocean Territory<\/option><option value=\"Brunei\n    Darussalam\">Brunei\n    Darussalam<\/option><option value=\"Bulgaria\">Bulgaria<\/option><option value=\"Burkina Faso\">Burkina Faso<\/option><option value=\"Burundi\">Burundi<\/option><option value=\"Cambodia\">Cambodia<\/option><option value=\"Cameroon\">Cameroon<\/option><option value=\"Canada\">Canada<\/option><option value=\"Cape Verde\">Cape Verde<\/option><option value=\"Cayman Islands\">Cayman Islands<\/option><option value=\"Central African Republic\">Central African Republic<\/option><option value=\"Chad\">Chad<\/option><option value=\"Chile\">Chile<\/option><option value=\"China\">China<\/option><option value=\"Christmas Island\">Christmas Island<\/option><option value=\"Cocos (Keeling) Islands\">Cocos (Keeling) Islands<\/option><option value=\"Colombia\">Colombia<\/option><option value=\"Comoros\">Comoros<\/option><option value=\"Congo\">Congo<\/option><option value=\"Congo, the Democratic Republic of the\">Congo, the Democratic Republic of the<\/option><option value=\"Cook Islands\">Cook Islands<\/option><option value=\"Costa Rica\">Costa Rica<\/option><option value=\"Cote d&#039;Ivoire\">Cote d&#039;Ivoire<\/option><option value=\"Croatia\">Croatia<\/option><option value=\"Cuba\">Cuba<\/option><option value=\"Cura\u00e7ao\">Cura\u00e7ao<\/option><option value=\"Cyprus\">Cyprus<\/option><option value=\"Czech\n    Republic\">Czech\n    Republic<\/option><option value=\"Denmark\">Denmark<\/option><option value=\"Djibouti\">Djibouti<\/option><option value=\"Dominica\">Dominica<\/option><option value=\"Dominican Republic\">Dominican Republic<\/option><option value=\"Ecuador\">Ecuador<\/option><option value=\"Egypt\">Egypt<\/option><option value=\"El Salvador\">El Salvador<\/option><option value=\"Equatorial Guinea\">Equatorial Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Eritrea\">Eritrea<\/option><option value=\"Estonia\">Estonia<\/option><option value=\"Eswatini\">Eswatini<\/option><option value=\"Ethiopia\">Ethiopia<\/option><option value=\"Falkland Islands (Malvinas)\">Falkland Islands (Malvinas)<\/option><option value=\"Faroe Islands\">Faroe Islands<\/option><option value=\"Fiji\">Fiji<\/option><option value=\"Finland\">Finland<\/option><option value=\"France\">France<\/option><option value=\"French Guiana\">French Guiana<\/option><option value=\"French Polynesia\">French Polynesia<\/option><option value=\"French Southern Territories\">French Southern Territories<\/option><option value=\"Gabon\">Gabon<\/option><option value=\"Gambia\">Gambia<\/option><option value=\"Georgia\">Georgia<\/option><option value=\"Germany\">Germany<\/option><option value=\"Ghana\">Ghana<\/option><option value=\"Gibraltar\">Gibraltar<\/option><option value=\"Greece\">Greece<\/option><option value=\"Greenland\">Greenland<\/option><option value=\"Grenada\">Grenada<\/option><option value=\"Guadeloupe\">Guadeloupe<\/option><option value=\"Guam\">Guam<\/option><option value=\"Guatemala\">Guatemala<\/option><option value=\"Guernsey\">Guernsey<\/option><option value=\"Guinea\">Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Guinea-Bissau\">Guinea-Bissau<\/option><option value=\"Guyana\">Guyana<\/option><option value=\"Haiti\">Haiti<\/option><option value=\"Heard Island and McDonald Islands\">Heard Island and McDonald Islands<\/option><option value=\"Holy\n    See (Vatican City State)\">Holy\n    See (Vatican City State)<\/option><option value=\"Honduras\">Honduras<\/option><option value=\"Hong Kong\">Hong Kong<\/option><option value=\"Hungary\">Hungary<\/option><option value=\"Iceland\">Iceland<\/option><option value=\"India\">India<\/option><option value=\"Indonesia\">Indonesia<\/option><option value=\"Iran, Islamic Republic of\">Iran, Islamic Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Iraq\">Iraq<\/option><option value=\"Ireland\">Ireland<\/option><option value=\"Isle of Man\">Isle of Man<\/option><option value=\"Israel\">Israel<\/option><option value=\"Italy\">Italy<\/option><option value=\"Jamaica\">Jamaica<\/option><option value=\"Japan\">Japan<\/option><option value=\"Jersey\">Jersey<\/option><option value=\"Jordan\">Jordan<\/option><option value=\"Kazakhstan\">Kazakhstan<\/option><option value=\"Kenya\">Kenya<\/option><option value=\"Kiribati\">Kiribati<\/option><option value=\"Korea, Democratic People&#039;s Republic of\">Korea, Democratic People&#039;s Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Korea, Republic of\">Korea, Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Kosovo\">Kosovo<\/option><option value=\"Kuwait\">Kuwait<\/option><option value=\"Kyrgyzstan\">Kyrgyzstan<\/option><option value=\"Lao People&#039;s Democratic Republic\">Lao People&#039;s Democratic Republic<\/option><option value=\"Latvia\">Latvia<\/option><option value=\"Lebanon\">Lebanon<\/option><option value=\"Lesotho\">Lesotho<\/option><option value=\"Liberia\">Liberia<\/option><option value=\"Libyan Arab Jamahiriya\">Libyan Arab Jamahiriya<\/option><option value=\"Liechtenstein\">Liechtenstein<\/option><option value=\"Lithuania\">Lithuania<\/option><option value=\"Luxembourg\">Luxembourg<\/option><option value=\"Macao\">Macao<\/option><option value=\"Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic\n    of\">Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic\n    of<\/option><option value=\"Madagascar\">Madagascar<\/option><option value=\"Malawi\">Malawi<\/option><option value=\"Malaysia\">Malaysia<\/option><option value=\"Maldives\">Maldives<\/option><option value=\"Mali\">Mali<\/option><option value=\"Malta\">Malta<\/option><option value=\"Marshall\n    Islands\">Marshall\n    Islands<\/option><option value=\"Martinique\">Martinique<\/option><option value=\"Mauritania\">Mauritania<\/option><option value=\"Mauritius\">Mauritius<\/option><option 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By registering your details, you understand that your personal data will be handled according to our <a href=\"https:\/\/risk.lexisnexis.com\/group\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. \n<\/p><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"client_id\" class=\"client_id\" \/><input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel5\" name=\"Telephone5\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"2S0OI3\">\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel6\" name=\"Telephone6\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"DduwX4\">\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel7\" name=\"Telephone7\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"8ihsaF\"><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup can affect attendance, productivity and employee relations. This guide explains how employers can plan ahead to boost morale while managing flexible working, absence, conduct and discrimination risks during the tournament.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":15564,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-new-resources","categories":[53],"tags":[],"topic":[23,99,21],"class_list":["post-16741","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-c-and-i","topic-employee-engagement","topic-employee-relations","topic-talent-management"],"_lnrs_read_more":"","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>World Cup 2026: Employers&#039; guide to workplace implications | Brightmine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to manage the workplace impact of the 2026 World Cup, including flexible working, staff morale, absence issues, conduct and discrimination risks for UK employers\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/world-cup-2026-employers-guide-to-workplace-implications\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"World Cup 2026: Employers&#039; 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