Majority of workers expect to watch matches during office hours, while AI emerges as the preferred productivity tool to stay on track
A new survey from Qlik suggests that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could become a major test of how artificial intelligence supports workplace productivity, with employees increasingly planning to rely on AI tools to balance work commitments while following the tournament.
The research, conducted among 2,000 U.S. employees who intend to watch or follow the World Cup, found that 90% are likely to watch matches live during work hours, including 60% who describe themselves as very likely to do so. Additionally, 68% said they would consider delaying, skipping, or rescheduling meetings to catch live games.
Despite these potential disruptions, employees remain confident about maintaining productivity. More than half of respondents (53%) believe their productivity will increase during the tournament, while only 12% expect it to decline.
“The World Cup landing in North America isn’t just a cultural moment, it’s one of the first large-scale, predictable tests of whether AI can actually protect productivity when the workday gets disrupted. Employees are already planning to use it to catch up, reprioritize and keep work moving around matches.”
— James Fisher, Chief Strategy Officer, Qlik
The survey highlights the growing role of AI in modern workplaces. Around 65% of respondents expect their use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot to increase during the World Cup, with one-third anticipating a significant rise in usage. Nearly half (49%) said they would use AI to catch up on work more quickly, surpassing the 41% who would simply work additional hours.
Employees identified several key tasks where AI could help offset disruptions, including drafting emails and written updates faster (38%), prioritizing workloads (38%), generating reports and analysis (37%), summarizing missed meetings (37%), and helping them catch up on delayed work (36%).
The findings also reveal generational differences in AI adoption. Gen Z and Millennials are the most likely to watch matches during work hours and increase their use of AI tools, while older workers remain more cautious. Seventy percent of Gen Z respondents and 69% of Millennials expect their AI usage to increase, compared to 56% of Gen X and 27% of Baby Boomers.
According to Qlik, the results highlight a broader shift toward AI becoming an integral part of daily work, helping organizations maintain productivity and flexibility even when major global events compete for employees’ attention.
