What is allowed and what is notWorld Cup fever in the office! These mistakes can cost you your job

Watching TV while working is taboo

The 2026 World Cup will break all previous records. Because 48 teams are taking part for the first time, there will be at least one game almost every day from June 11th to July 19th. For many fans, this sounds like a dream. However, enthusiasm for the World Cup can quickly become a problem in the workplace.

Due to the USA, Canada and Mexico being the venues, the kick-off times are often outside of traditional office hours. Games are played at midnight, 1 a.m., 3 a.m., 4 a.m., 6 a.m. and in the evening at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Nevertheless, the following applies: Nobody has the right to watch football while working. Employers may allow this, but do not have to. Anyone who starts a live stream on the work computer without permission is walking on thin ice.

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During breaks, however, employees are allowed to use their private smartphones via the mobile network. If the boss allows watching football during working hours, he can request that the time used for this be made up.

Radio and live tickers are also not automatically allowed

Many fans think a radio in the background is harmless. But here too, the employer ultimately decides. If listening to the radio is generally permitted at work, there is usually nothing to stop you from following the games during the World Cup. However, the prerequisite remains that work does not suffer and colleagues or customers are not disturbed.

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Live tickers are often viewed in a more relaxed manner. If you check the current scores on your cell phone every now and then, you usually don't have to worry about any consequences. But there is no free ticket for this either.

Be careful when using the internet at work

Things get particularly tricky when surfing via your work internet connection. If the employer has prohibited private use, violations can, in the worst case, even lead to termination.

Even if there is no explicit ban, employees should be careful. According to case law, private use of the Internet is still not permitted in many cases. If you follow streams extensively during working hours or constantly visit football sites, you risk getting into trouble.

Vacation for the World Cup? Only with consent

Just take time off because your own national team is playing? Unfortunately it's not that easy.

There is no legal right to vacation or time off because of a World Cup game. Employees must apply for regular vacation. However, individual solutions can help, especially in shift operations. Trade unions recommend, for example, flexible working hours or shift swap models.

Late, sick or drunk? Then things get serious

Football enthusiasm can become particularly expensive if fans oversleep after long nights at the World Cup. Repeated unpunctuality can have consequences under labor law.

Things become even more critical when it comes to so-called sick celebrations. Anyone who calls in sick and instead sits at a public viewing or in front of the television even risks being dismissed without notice after a warning.

Alcohol also remains a sensitive issue. Anyone who shows up to work drunk after an exuberant World Cup celebration must also expect a warning. In severe cases, even your workplace can be put at risk.

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Can the office be decorated for the 2026 World Cup?

Germany flags at your desk or the jersey of your favorite team in the office? Here too, the employer has the final say.

Whether flags, fan merchandise or national jerseys are allowed depends on the company's rules. Such fan campaigns may be prohibited, particularly when there is customer contact or in areas with safety regulations. If you want to avoid trouble, you should ask beforehand.

Sources used: AFP