England fans are skipping work early to catch the Three Lions' first knock-out stages match this World Cup this evening - whether at home or in the pub.Thomas Tuchel's men, captained by Harry Kane, kick off at 5pm against DR Congo in the Round of 32 - having topped Group L with two wins and a draw.As many as 28million pints are tipped to be knocked back, with viewing figures of 15million also predicted in the largest teatime TV audience for five years.And analysts have dubbed today 'Bunk Off Wednesday', with many workers expected to leave their posts early in order to tune into the game elsewhere.Hospitality industry leaders have welcomed a much-needed boost to their coffers.Late licences for Britain's 35,000 pubs have been extended to 1am, as England look to clinch a Round of 16 clash next Monday at 1am against co-hosts Mexico.And the timing of today's match in the US city of Atlanta - where the players will take the field at 12noon local time - has brought rush hour here forward to around 3pm. High streets and train stations were expected to be much quieter than usual during the game – and experts said hangovers mean some offices would also be quiet on Thursday as staff call in sick. England fans watch a screening of the FIFA World Cup match between England and Ghana at BOXPARK Wembley last week - with similar scenes expected for the DR Congo game Fans gathered ay BOXPark Wembley on June 17 with rapper Dizzee Rascal among performersAlan Price, CEO at BrightHR, which monitors absence among over a million employees at over 50,000 UK companies, said it looks 'like "Bunk Off Wednesday"'.He told of 'a slowdown from mid-afternoon as millions stopped work early to get to the pub or back home in time for the match'. Mr Price added: 'And employers are likely to see an influx of sickness absences on Thursday following a late night at the pub for many.'A third of England's workforce missing an hour's work - by leaving offices early or watching on phones from desks when they were meant to be working - could potentially cost the economy £208million.That is based on daily economy productivity of £5billion from an eight-hour working day, according to Office of National Statistics daily economy productivity data trends.The first 1am nationwide late licensing for all 35,000 pubs in Britain since Euro 2004 is tipped to see 14million pints drunk in pubs – 4million more than normal.Another 14million are expected to be supped by viewers at home, based on British Beer and Pub Association data trends covering pubs and supermarkets. BBPA chief strategy officer Andy Tighe forecast 'pubs to be busy, with a very positive evening for them'. England supporters who have made the transatlantic trip have been arriving at Atlanta Stadium England's first - but hopefully not last - knock-out stages game comes after topping Group LSome 15million people are likely to watch across BBC and iPlayer, the highest at teatime since England v Germany in the Three Lions' June 2021 victory over Germany at Wembley in the Covid-delayed 2020 European Championship. BBC iPlayer is also set for a streaming record as people watch on their phones while travelling home from work. And this is the first England game this tournament before children's bedtimes.Estimates suggest £222million could be spent on the game - with £157million splashed on food and drink for parties at home and £65million spent in pubs, a GlobalData Retail study for VoucherCodes.co.uk indicated.Clair Hughes, of VoucherCodes.co.uk, said: 'Driven by rising excitement, fans are splashing out to cheer on England.'But Wimbledon tennis chiefs banned screenings of the game, with spectators there trying to watch the England game on their phones potentially threatened with ejection from courtside.The All England Club has barred the DR Congo match from its big screens and every TV on site, including in concourses and bars.Umpires have been put on alert to interrupt play to rebuke noisy fans cheering football during tennis matches, with offenders risking being removed from courts by stewards. Captain Harry Kane scored three goals in the group stage, with Jude Bellingham netting two Fans are pictured at BOXPark Wembley for England's opening game against Croatia Supporters also turned out at the We Are Football Festival at Freight Island in Manchester Paul Gascoigne is pictured at BOXPark Wembley on Saturday when England beat Paname 2-0 Fans jumped onto tables in Newcastle city centre as England triumphed last Saturday Shirts came off at Ultra Warehouse Derby as Saturday's victory clinched top spot in Group L Fans celebrate at Ultra Warehouse Derby on England's first weekend game of the tournamentAn All England Club spokesperson said: 'We won't be showing the World Cup. Our screens will be showing the tennis.' England began this World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, before a goalless draw with Ghana then a 2-0 win against Panama.Captain Harry Kane will be hoping to add to the three goals he has already scored this summer, the last of which took him past Gary Lineker as England's leading scorer at World Cup finals with 11. Fans have been packing into BOX venues, with legendary ex-England midfielder Paul Gascoigne appearing at BOXPark Wembley for last Saturday's Panama match.The BOX firm has this week promised a free weekly pint for a year to anyone willing to legally change their name by deed poll to Harry Kane. Tom Mayer-Jones, BOX brand and marketing manager, said: 'Harry Kane has delivered for England time and time again, and we wanted to celebrate that in true BOX style.'If fans think England are going all the way, now’s the time to prove your commitment.'