The upcoming World Cup, staged across six North‑American time zones , will see England’s first three matches start at 9 pm‑10 pm UK time and Scotland’s opener at 2 am. As a result, workplaces across Britain are warninng of a surge in absenteeism while thousands of pubs prepare to serve customers well into the early morning.

15,000 English and Welsh pubs apply for licences to stay open until 5 am

According to the source , roughly 15,000 pubs in England and Wales have submitted applications for late‑night licences, with some venues planning to remain open until 5 am during the tournament’s knockout stages. the government has granted blanket permission for these establishments to serve alcohol until 1 am or 2 am when a home nation is playing, a move championed by the Prime Minister and the Communities Secretary as a way to boost community spirit.

Scotland’s 3,000 pubs gain individual approvals and a June 15 bank holiday

In Scotland, about 3,000 pubs have already received individual licensing board approvals, allowing them to operate late into the night .. The Scottish government has also declared a one‑off bank holiday on June 15 to give fans a chance to recover after the nation’s 2 am kickoff, a decision that underscores the country’s enthusiasm for the event.

Employers warned of a wave of ‘football sickies’ as matches run into the night

Employers across the UK are being advised to expect a spike in unplanned leave, colloquially dubbed ‘football sickies’, as millions of fans stay up to watch live matches. The source notes that absenteeism could affect productivity, especially durig the early‑morning hours when Scotland’s match will be on air.

Police caution about disorder despite political endorsement of late licences

Police forces have issued warnings about possible disorder linked to the extended drinking hours, even as political leaders publicly support the relaxed licensing rules. The source reports that law enforcement remains on alert, balancing public safety with the anticipated economic boost for the hospitality sector.

Who will actually stay home? Unverified claims about fan attendance

The source cites research indicating that over half of UK fans plan to watch matches live, but it does not break down attendance by region or age group. It also leaves unanswered whether the expected surge in late‑night pub patronage will translate into sustained revenue gains beyond the tournament.