This will not entirely be due to employees taking time off to watch a game but perhaps in order for them to recover from too much celebration (or depression!)
For those who do come in to work perhaps the problem will be too much time lost with them listening to radios, internet broadcasts or simply catching up with news on the internet.
Hopefully most employees will be sensible but a few will not.
If you are organised you will already have absence and internet policies in place so you may wish to remind employees what these are.
Of course management are not exempt from World Cup fever so perhaps a sensible approach to what is acceptable will satisfy most people’s needs.
If matches are screened during working hours and break times are easily adjusted in order to allow some listening/watching then consider this.
If a TV can be fixed up in the canteen and watching controlled then why not? (However don’t forget to ensure that the appliance has been tested)
Also consider flexible working – perhaps consider a late start or early finish; split shift or other form of flexible working.
If you have the means to monitor internet activity then remind employees that you are doing so – at the same time perhaps extending access in order to accommodate the additional interest.
Too rigid an application of working hours may simply result in people taking time off and/or resentment.
If you have an alcohol and drugs policy it may also be a good time to refresh it and remind employees of its existence. If you don’t have one then perhaps it is about time that you did.
Where there is a particular danger to employees and others from staff reporting for work still under the influence then an especially careful eye needs to be taken.
Remember it is not just England involved. So don’t forget the Italians, Germans, Nigerians, Australians etc etc!! | 
