A 1am kick-off on a Monday morning during term time means that England's last-16 World Cup match against Mexico will leave many parents and bosses with a familiar dilemma: let the kids stay up, or let the employees come in late? For decades, major international tournaments have prompted a wave of unofficial absenteeism in the UK, as fans find creative ways to watch live football. The phenomenon is so well-established that it even has a name: the "World Cup bunk off". On 1 July 2026, England scraped past DR Congo 2-1 thanks to a late Harry Kane double, setting up a trip to Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. The match kicks off at 01:00 BST on Monday 3 July. With schools still in session and offices open, thousands of fans are planning to watch the game despite the antisocial hour. England manager Thomas Tuchel weighed in, urging parents to "write an excuse for school and let them watch", arguing that "there's so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years." His comments reflect a long tradition of tournament-related absenteeism, where the desire to support the national team clashes with everyday obligations.
The practice of skipping work or school to watch England games is not new, but the timing of this year's match has made it particularly disruptive. The Mexico game is England's first knockout fixture in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Because Mexico City sits about 2,200 metres above sea level, the altitude adds an extra physical challenge for players and a later kick-off to accommodate broadcast schedules. For UK viewers, that means a night-owl start. While the 17:00 BST slot of the DR Congo game allowed fans to watch after school or work, the Mexico match falls squarely in the middle of the night. Some schools have found alternative solutions. Steve Heal, headteacher at Malmesbury Primary School in Wiltshire, said his school would open from 07:00 BST to show a delayed full replay of the game with breakfast, finishing before lessons start at 09:00. He joked that if extra time pushes the schedule, he would "take the Thomas Tuchel route and write them a note".
“Why fans skip school or work to watch England's World Cup matches, and what impact it has.”
For UK readers, the practical impact is twofold. First, parents face a genuine dilemma: letting children stay up past midnight on a school night risks tiredness and reduced concentration the next day, but missing a World Cup knockout match can feel like a wasted childhood memory. Second, employers often see a spike in sick leave and flexible working requests during major football tournaments. A 2023 study estimated that the cost of workplace absence during the Women's World Cup ran into millions, and a men's tournament typically has a larger effect. Some workplaces adopt a more lenient attitude, allowing staff to take holiday or start late. But the informal "bunk off" remains a common tactic, with fans inventing excuses such as "doctor's appointments" – or as one pun circulated during the DR Congo match had it, "We've got doctor's appointments... with Dr Congo."
Q: Why do England fans sometimes skip work or school for World Cup matches? England's World Cup matches are major national events, and many fans want to watch them live with friends or in pubs for the communal atmosphere. When kick-offs fall during working hours or late at night on school nights, some choose to take time off or create excuses so they don't miss the action.
Q: Is it legal to take a sick day to watch a football match? Technically no, if you are not genuinely ill. Using a sick day for a non-medical reason could be considered a breach of contract. In practice, many employers are understanding about occasional time off for major sporting events, but it is safer to request annual leave or agree flexible hours in advance.
Q: Do schools and workplaces ever accommodate late-night matches officially? Yes. Some schools, like Malmesbury Primary, show delayed replays early in the morning so children can watch before lessons. Some workplaces offer flexible start times or screen matches in common areas. A minority of businesses even close early or allow staff to work from home.
What happens next depends on the result. If England beat Mexico, they will advance to the quarter-finals, likely facing another high-altitude fixture. That would bring another round of late-night kick-offs and more juggling of schedules for fans back home. Meanwhile, the discussion around work-life balance and national events is unlikely to go away. For now, Thomas Tuchel's advice to parents stands: "Write an excuse for school and let them watch."