The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place from June 11 to July 19 could cost U.S. employers over $30 billion in lost productivity, according to a new analysis published Tuesday.
The World Cup's return to the U.S. after 32 years would see 78 matches hosted in 11 American cities, with the tournament's schedule clashing with the American workday, potentially causing significant disruption.
Global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas estimated that if all employed American soccer fans took a day off to watch a major match, U.S. employers could lose as much as $30.2 billion.
Even just an hour of workplace distraction across the workforce could result in losses of around $4.4 billion.
In the 11 host cities, where stadium traffic, security arrangements, and watch-party crowds are expected to heighten disruption, even a single missed workday could cost employers as much as $8.2 billion.
