A Stanford economist says the World Cup may trigger a spike in working from home.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup may be doing more than entertaining soccer fans — it could also be giving remote work a summer lift.Nicholas Bloom, a Stanford professor who studies hybrid work, says a combination of late-night matches, rising commuting costs, and a summer heat wave could make 2026 "the summer of working from home.""My bet: July 6th will smash UK records for working from home," Bloom wrote in a recent LinkedIn post, referring to a World Cup knockout game that finished around 4 a.m. UK time on Monday. "After an amazing match ending at 4am, firms may have little choice."Bloom also pointed to rising oil prices, which he said have made commuting more expensive and already prompted employers to relax office attendance requirements for employees facing higher travel costs.The tournament itself is also disrupting the traditional workday. Matches have stretched late into the night for some viewers, while others have kicked off during business hours, making it harder for fans to stick to a conventional office schedule.Bloom also cited the ongoing heat wave, saying it has made commuting particularly unpleasant, especially for workers relying on trains, buses, and subways without air conditioning.Temporary flexibility for office workersSome Wall Street banks are already making temporary accommodations during the World Cup.
