As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, a significant majority of professionals in the Middle East are gearing up for a month of altered sleep schedules. A recent survey by GulfTalent reveals that over 80 percent of employees across the region intend to tune in to the tournament, which will be hosted across North America. With kick-off times occurring between 8pm and 8am Gulf time, many fans are already planning to sacrifice rest to catch their favorite teams, with some even considering taking annual leave or negotiating adjusted working hours to accommodate the late-night schedule.

The ripple effect of this football fever is expected to hit the workplace, with roughly a third of employees anticipating they will arrive at the office feeling tired. However, the corporate response appears largely accommodating; 72 percent of managers express a willingness to offer flexibility, such as delayed start times or team-building activities, to foster a positive atmosphere. While official policies remain rare, many companies are choosing to embrace the excitement by hosting office contests and screenings, viewing the global event as a unique chance to strengthen team culture rather than a disruption to productivity.