Paraguay's World Cup Loss Cools Consumption; Supermarkets Feel the Pinch After Debut

The Paraguayan national soccer team's opening defeat against the United States in the 2026 World Cup has had an immediate impact on commercial activity, according to Gustavo Lezcano, president of the Paraguayan Chamber of Supermarkets (Capasu).

Lezcano explained that the pre-game euphoria quickly dissipated after the adverse result. Sales of products typically associated with gatherings, such as barbecue meats and beverages, saw a significant drop. Instead, consumers shifted towards purchasing basic necessities like vegetables and pasta.

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The people are buying vegetables, pasta. Forget about the ribs, it stopped.

While the defeat did not cause an abrupt sales decline, it led to a noticeable slowdown compared to the expectations generated by the pre-match atmosphere. The initial enthusiasm for World Cup-related purchases has waned, with a more subdued consumer behavior observed.

Despite this initial setback, Lezcano expressed cautious optimism for Paraguay's upcoming crucial match against Turkey. He noted that both teams are in a must-win situation, and as long as the national team maintains a mathematical chance of advancing, the World Cup will continue to stimulate commerce, albeit at a lower level than initially anticipated. The sector had hoped the team would reach the round of 16, a stage historically associated with significant economic activity.

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It is a clash of the needy.