2026 FIFA World Cup

CPM 2026-08 June 2, 2026 Memorandum for Chief Human Capital Officers From: Veronica E. Hinton Associate Director Workforce Policy and Innovation Subject: 2026 FIFA World Cup

The United States will host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches beginning Friday, June 12, 2026, through Sunday, July 19, 2026. Across the event, 11 United States cities (Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle) will host a total of 78 matches. Given the scale of the event, host cities may experience significant increases in traffic congestion and commuting delays. To help alleviate potential traffic congestion and minimize any disruptions to law enforcement and security officials, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reminds agencies with offices located in a host city of their authority to approve situational/unscheduled telework and other workforce flexibilities at their sole and exclusive discretion for impacted employees. Agencies may also approve employee requests to use their alternative work schedule day off, annual leave, or other time off. OPM encourages agencies with a significant Federal presence in a host city to coordinate their use of workforce flexibilities to promote a consistent approach throughout the event. Additional guidance on workforce flexibilities is available at the following links: • Situational/Unscheduled Telework • Work Schedules • Leave Throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup, employees reporting to a worksite in a host city should allow extra time for travel, whether commuting by private vehicle or public transportation. Employees are encouraged to monitor local news media for updates on possible street closures, pedestrian restrictions, and transit service disruptions. OPM recommends agencies use all communication tools available to them to inform employees of any relevant, agency-specific impacts.

Additional Information For additional information, agency headquarters-level human resources offices may contact OPM at paypolicy@opm.gov. Component-level human resources offices must contact their agency headquarters for assistance. Employees must contact their agency human resources offices for further information on this memorandum. cc: Deputy Chief Human Capital Officers and Human Resources Directors