— Paraguay observed a one-day national holiday after its men’s soccer team secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in late August. According to the daily newspaper La Nación, the new holiday stimulated spending, with supermarkets, fast-food outlets, shopping malls, delivery services, and neighborhood stores reporting strong sales.
Local employment specialist Enrique López Arce linked upbeat consumer sentiment to higher purchases and noted likely medium-term spillovers, including increased advertising, new store signage, media campaigns, and stronger demand at travel agencies ahead of the 2026 tournament.
The day off also carried costs. By law, staff who worked received double pay, with an additional 30% premium for night shifts, and private-sector wage outlays were estimated at about 143 billion Guarani (about 20 million USD). While some sectors claimed losses, the overall impact was described as economically and socially positive.