How to run a World Cup fantasy football at work
Running a World Cup fantasy football or predictions game at work is one of the simplest ways to energise your culture, spark cross-team conversation and create those small, positive moments that make hybrid work feel human again. The good news: you don’t need spreadsheets, custom rules or manual scoring. Modern platforms automate sign-ups, deadlines, scoring and live leaderboards — so HR, Internal Comms and team leads can focus on engagement rather than admin.
Start with one clear sentence of intent. Why are you doing this? To bring hybrid teams together, to create a fun touchpoint during the tournament, to welcome new joiners, or to give colleagues something to chat about beyond deadlines. A single line in your announcement sets expectations and keeps the tone light, voluntary and inclusive.
Choose your game type without writing rules. For most organisations, the most accessible option is match-by-match predictions (1X2 or exact score). If your workforce is highly football-savvy, you can offer a fantasy squad (pick players, earn points from real-world performance). Either way, the platform handles points, tie-breakers and deadlines: you pick the format, it does the rest.
Create your company league (and optional sub-leagues). Set up one main company league; optionally add sub-leagues by location (London, Manchester, Belfast), department (Sales, Product, Operations) or project teams. Sub-leagues increase belonging because colleagues compete in two tables: the big one and their “home” leaderboard. If simplicity is paramount, start with a single company league and add sub-leagues later.
Plan communications like a mini campaign. A proven rhythm:
- Teaser (T-7) “Our World Cup fantasy is coming ⚽️ — who’s in?”
- Invite (T-5/T-3) Link + three steps + first deadline.
- Final reminder (T-1) “Kick-off tomorrow — last chance to enter your first picks!”
- During the tournament Weekly top 10, “leap of the week”, a playful nod to bold predictions and unlucky near-misses.
Keep copy short, visual and friendly. Use Teams/Slack, email, intranet tiles and a 60-second slide in your all-hands.
Lower the barrier to entry. Always include (1) a direct join link, (2) three-step instructions, and (3) a clear deadline (with timezone). If you have colleagues in the field or on shifts, ensure the whole flow is mobile-friendly.
Make it lively with micro-moments. Post a Friday leaderboard screenshot; celebrate “best exact score”; share a GIF when a giant-killing happens; give a shout-out to the biggest weekly climb. These little sparks create shared memories without meetings.
Inclusion first. Say explicitly: you don’t need to be a football expert. Luck plays a part, the rules are simple, and everyone has a chance. This matters in diverse workplaces where interests vary widely.
Close with recognition, not just prizes. Congratulate winners, but also give light-hearted awards: Best Newcomer, Boldest Pick, Exact-Score Sniper, Comeback of the Tournament. In most cases a symbolic trophy, a coffee voucher or a team lunch is plenty — the social recognition is the real reward.
Ten quick best practices:
- One format. 2) Short invites. 3) Clear deadlines. 4) Mobile first. 5) Sub-leagues if helpful.
- Weekly updates. 7) Light humour. 8) Visible rules (link, not a wall of text).
- Celebrate broadly. 10) Thank everyone.
Do this well and your World Cup fantasy becomes a cultural ritual you can reprise for future tournaments — low effort, high smiles, real connection.