The FIFA World Cup caused disruptions in US workplaces, potentially reducing productivity by $11.7 billion as employees adjusted schedules to watch matches. A report revealed that the global impact of the tournament was around $17 billion, attributed to increased absenteeism, late arrivals, and early departures during the event. Following the elimination of the United States men’s team, office attendance dropped by 26% on July 7, with a subsequent 11.5% decrease in employee entries.
That decline in attendance was significantly higher than the attendance drop observed after the Super Bowl earlier in the year, marking a notable impact on workplace operations. Visitor traffic, encompassing client meetings and vendor appointments, also decreased by 32%, indicating a trend of rescheduled meetings rather than complete office closures. Despite the initial disruptions, workplace attendance gradually normalized as the tournament progressed into the quarterfinal stage.
Analysts predict a lesser post-tournament impact following the US team’s elimination, with expectations of decreased disruptions compared to the significant attendance drop observed earlier. Spain and Argentina are set to compete for the FIFA World Cup™ championship at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with over 80,000 spectators expected. The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, as Spain aims for their second title while Argentina seeks their fourth victory in the tournament’s history.
