A workforce-software firm, UKG, estimates that the expanded 2026 World Cup could cost employers worldwide about US$17 billion in lost productivity as employees tune into matches. Multiple outlets report that the figure comes from a survey and related analysis focused on how employees’ work time may be affected during the tournament period.
The World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 and includes 48 participating nations and 104 matches. The event is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. During this window, the projected productivity loss is presented as a global employer cost tied to reduced work output or time missed for watching or following matches.
While the reporting centers on the overall economic estimate and the tournament timeline, it does not provide detailed breakdowns by country, industry, or employer size in the excerpts provided. The $17 billion figure is therefore presented as an aggregate projection rather than an immediate accounting of actual measured losses after the tournament concludes.
