Australia's big FIFA World Cup clash against Paraguay is expected to bring workplaces across the country to a standstill, with pubs, live sites and office watch parties set to fill as millions tune in.Employers are also bracing for a spike in sickies and work-from-home requests as the Socceroos look to seal their place in the Round of 32 in their final group match, and first fixture that falls squarely in the middle of the workday (12pm Friday AEST). You can watch it live and free on SBS or SBS On Demand.The stakes are high. A win or draw will send Australia through, while defeat could either end the Socceroos' campaign or leave them facing a tougher opponent in the knockout rounds.As former prime minister Bob Hawke famously said after Australia won the America's Cup in 1983: "Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum."News that makes senseYour trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.Nearly five million Australians tuned in for the Socceroos' opening match against Türkiye, while more than 3.4 million set their alarms early to watch them take on the USA.A similar figure is expected today for the midday clash, with many workers to be glued to their phones or crowded around lunchroom screens.Research commissioned by SBS through the World Cup Watchers' Rights Association found 71 per cent of Australians believe employers should simply allow staff to watch World Cup matches at work.The survey also found 38 per cent had watched sport during a work call, and one in five had muted a call so they could focus on a game. Socceroos supporter group Active Support has dubbed today the "great Australian Socceroos sickie", claiming a "mysterious case of football fever" is sweeping the nation.Assistant coach Paul Okon has even called on the prime minister to give Australians the day off so they can get behind the team.Following an SBS social media call-out, dozens of Australians shared their plans for the match, with many revealing they had booked annual leave months in advance.Others said their workplaces had organised pub bookings, while some schools planned to show the game in class.One construction worker, who requested anonymity to protect his job, told SBS News he would be "chucking a sickie" and pulling his children out of school so they could watch together."I don't get too elaborate with excuses. I'll likely tell them I have an appointment," he said.The self-confessed football fanatic said he had already been following the World Cup whenever possible while on the job.Pubs are expected to be packed despite the match falling in the middle of a workday. Source: AAP / Jay Kogler"I think it's going to be pretty obvious [why I called in sick]," he said."If I was found out, I would be one of the first on the chopping block."All the bosses know that I'm just listening to the games all day while I'm working away, so it is what it is. For me, it's unmissable."Another supporter said he had scheduled an early-morning text message to his boss, claiming to be suffering from food poisoning.'Huge opportunity' for employersWhile productivity may take a hit, Natasha Hawker, managing director of HR consultancy Employee Matters, said employers who embrace the World Cup could reap other benefits."It's a huge opportunity from a cultural and team-building perspective," she told SBS News."Employers can use this as an opportunity to bring team members together, cheer on the Socceroos, build engagement and strengthen communication ... given we're such a sporting-mad nation."She encouraged businesses to organise watch parties and encourage staff to wear green and gold.One workplace doing exactly that is Those Voiceover Guys, a commercial audio production company in Ballarat, Victoria.Dav Byrne, Ellen Sorensen and Dave Petrie (left to right) from Those Voiceover Guys will be watching the match from a pub in Ballarat, Victoria. Source: Supplied / Liam BrewerThe business has booked a local pub for staff, with the boss picking up the tab. Any jobs that land during the game have to wait until they're back — or, if the Socceroos win, until Monday. "A lot of people say the Melbourne Cup is the race that stops the nation," senior producer Dav Byrne told SBS News."I think the Socceroos' games are absolutely the games that stop the nation."All the FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage on our World Cup pageHow to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 on SBSWatch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at our On Demand hubWhen the Socceroos matches startVincent, an IT worker in Melbourne, will also be watching on the clock after convincing management to screen the match on a large television."HR was more than happy to accommodate that, so we're all getting food together and getting ready for the 12 o'clock kick-off," he told SBS News."It unites everyone. As Australians, we all get around sport, don't we?"Especially in Melbourne, but there's definitely a sense of pride in seeing your nation represented at a World Cup."You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.