Business owners are being urged to plan ahead for the World Cup to prevent staff absences during the tournament.

The Forum of Private Businesses (FPB) says although two out of England’s three group stage matches take place after normal nine-to-five working hours, bosses will still need to make arrangements for shift workers and people on flexi-time.

England’s third – and potentially crucial – group game kicks off at 5pm; comfortably within what many bosses consider a normal working day.

Additional HR headaches could come after the second match against Uruguay, which kicks off on Thursday 19 June at 8pm, because of fall-out from alcohol-fuelled revelry.

Jo Eccles, business adviser at the Forum of Private Business, said: “Sporting events such as the World Cup can bring a real feel good factor and many people will want to watch and get behind England.

“While the majority of matches may be in the evening out of office hours for most of us, the final fixture will be towards the end of the working day and employers may want to arrange plans to allow staff to be able to watch what could be the big decider for Hodgson and his team.”

Managers are advised to create a strategy for the World Cup games, either incorporating the games as a perk, giving reasonable annual leave allowances or allowing employees to work flexibly around kick-off times.