Football fans distracted by phones miss goals in World Cup

Sunday, June 7, 2026

Research shows that football fans, especially those aged 14 to 29, are missing an average of four goals per World Cup season due to time spent on their smartphones during matches. This distraction, most pronounced among younger supporters in cities like London, highlights a growing challenge for fan engagement as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches.

Football fans are missing key moments during this summer’s World Cup as they spend significant portions of matches distracted by their smartphones, according to recent research. The study found that an average supporter fails to see approximately four goals each season due to time spent scrolling on devices, with younger fans most affected.

Among age groups, those aged 14 to 29—often referred to as Generation Z—are the most distracted, missing around five goals per season on average. In contrast, older fans aged 62 to 80, categorized as Boomers, typically miss fewer goals, estimated at three annually. Generation Z also spends the largest amount of time using phones during matches, averaging 36 minutes per game, compared with 20 minutes for Boomers, 25 minutes for Generation X (ages 46 to 61), and 33 minutes for Millennials (ages 30 to 45).

Geographically, the level of phone use varies across the UK. Fans in London ranked as the most engaged with their devices during games, spending an average of 36 minutes per match scrolling, while supporters in Liverpool demonstrated greater focus on the football, with only 22 minutes spent on phones. Other home nations reported the following averages: Scottish fans at 26 minutes, Welsh fans at 35 minutes, and Northern Irish fans at 40 minutes per game.

For Generation Z supporters of the England national team, phone distractions accumulate to about 108 minutes over the group stages, equivalent to missing an entire match. The financial burden associated with attending the World Cup—due to expenses such as flights, accommodation, and transportation—has also led 20% of fans to check banking apps during games.

Duncan Knight, spokesperson for Talkmobile, which sponsored the research, emphasized the importance of minimizing phone use to fully engage with the tournament. “We believe your phone should be in your pocket not your palm – and never has it been more important,” he said. “What better way to show your support for the Three Lions than embracing every second of their path to glory.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin on Thursday, with the opening match featuring Mexico against South Africa. Scotland will kick off their campaign against Haiti in Boston on Sunday, June 14, while England’s first group stage match pits them against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, June 17.