Can you take the day off for England's 1am World Cup game?

DIRECT ANSWER: You do not have an automatic right to take Monday off after England's 1am World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico. Fans heading to a pub near home or work face tight notice rules for annual leave, sickies risk disciplinary action, and lateness counts as unauthorised absence unless your employer agrees. Some bosses are offering later Monday starts instead.

England's knockout clash with Mexico kicks off at 01:00 BST on Monday after FIFA stuck with the original schedule following days of uncertainty. With pubs in England and Wales allowed to stay open until 05:00, millions of supporters could still be celebrating close to dawn before the working week begins.

Key Takeaways

• There is no legal right to book last-minute holiday for the 1am kick-off; employers may require notice of twice the time requested.
• Calling in sick without a genuine illness can lead to return-to-work interviews and disciplinary action.
• Arriving late is typically treated as unauthorised absence unless previously agreed with your manager.
• The TUC is urging bosses to allow flexible starts, home working, or shift swaps where possible.
• Police warn fans drinking at pubs to plan travel home and not to drive the next morning while still over the limit.

Can I take the day off for England's World Cup game?

The most organised fans booked annual leave as soon as tournament dates were confirmed. Everyone else has had only since Wednesday night to make firm plans once England's route through the knockout stages became clearer.

Nicole Humphreys, a partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter, told The Guardian that employees have no automatic right to short-notice time off for a match. Many employers require notice of at least twice the length of the holiday being requested.

Taking the day off without permission is likely to result in disciplinary action. For more on how major sporting moments ripple through culture and workplaces, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.

What happens if I pull a sickie on Monday?

Feeling sick as a parrot if England crash out is not a valid medical reason to skip work. You do not need a sick note for a one-day absence, but you may need to self-certify and explain what was wrong.

Joanne Moseley of Irwin Mitchell told The Guardian that employers should not jump to conclusions, but can investigate if they suspect fakery—such as social media photos from a pub near the stadium screens. Unsatisfactory answers can lead to disciplinary proceedings.

What if I'm late for work after the 1am kick-off?

Unless previously agreed, lateness typically counts as unauthorised absence. Employers usually act only when it happens repeatedly, but policies differ widely across workplaces.

If England win and advance, their next fixtures should fall at more sleep-friendly times. On Monday, the Trades Union Congress has called on employers to show common sense—allowing later starts, homeworking, or hours made up later in the week. General secretary Paul Nowak appealed directly to bosses for understanding.

Will every employer be flexible on Monday morning?

Some are—but many are not. Joshua Elash of London finance firm MT Finance Group is letting all 125 staff start at 11:00. Communications agency PLMR is permitting a midday start, while Octopus Energy is delaying engineers' home visits and letting office staff shift their hours.

Manufacturing production lines, frontline retail, and hospitality face tougher constraints, says British Chambers of Commerce policy director Kate Shoesmith. Sainsbury's, Aldi, and Nissan told the BBC it will be business as usual. Acas adviser John Palmer stressed that Mexico supporters deserve fair treatment too—and short-notice leave may not be possible.

What should fans do if they're drinking near pubs on match night?

Devon and Cornwall Police urged supporters to make travel plans before heading out. Superintendent Joe Matthews warned that even small amounts of alcohol slow reactions and that only time—not coffee or a full English—clears alcohol from the body. Fans may still be over the drink-drive limit on Monday morning.

The National Police Chiefs' Council criticised the late decision to extend pub licensing hours, saying officers would work extended shifts. Police chiefs asked fans to drink within sensible limits and behave considerately as emotions run high.