No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta Rica Allows time off to watch match against New Zealand

Costa Rica Allows time off to watch match against New Zealand

President Rodrigo Chaves authorized a one-hour recess for Central Government employees to watch La Sele’s match against New Zealand. The game will be played on Tuesday, June 14 and is a decisive one, as the winner will seal its ticket to the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The Presidential Office informed this Friday the hour off will be added to the regular lunch break for public employees, so that they will be able to enjoy Costa Rica’s game from noon to 2 p.m.

The permit applies to officials of the Central Government. However, the President also urged the Legislative and Judicial branches, as well as autonomous entities and the private sector, to allow their workers to enjoy the game.

However, essential service workers will not be able to enjoy the hour off. Employees from public hospitals, clinics and Ebáis, as well as workers from the Juan Santamaría International Airport and the Transit Police will work their regular hours.

“Tuesday, June 14 is a very special day for all of us who love our ‘Sele’ and our Costa Rica. More than 13,000 kilometers away there will be 11 warriors on the field to culminate a historic qualification,” mentioned the President.

Chaves explained that despite high expectations regarding the Costa Rican national team’s chances of qualifying to the World Cup next Tuesday, he is unable to grant the day off to officials.

“Obviously we all want to see that game, but the country is in a complex situation,” said Chaves.

“To give a holiday or not to give a holiday, I decided to split it in half. That is why we are going to give public sector employees an extension in their lunch hour to enjoy the game, so that we can send all the good vibes and excitement of a people passionate about the most beautiful sport in the world,” the president announced.

The President of the Costa Rican Soccer Federation indicated that “if our national team qualifies, the time off will almost be forced, I see very few people returning to work.”

The Ticos are anxious and eager for the match to start, to see their national team qualify for the World Cup. Undoubtedly, if it they make it, there would be a tremendous celebration in Costa Rica.

Trending Now

Guatemala Attorney General Porras Fails Bid for Constitutional Court Seat

Guatemala's sanctioned Attorney General Consuelo Porras fell short in her attempt to secure a position on the Constitutional Court, receiving no votes in the...

Costa Rica Installs First Sun Meter to Cut Skin Cancer Risk

The College of Physicians and Surgeons installed the country’s first solmáforo at its Sabana Sur headquarters as a pilot project to promote daily protection...

Mexico Announces Plan for 100,000 Security Personnel at World Cup

Mexico announced Friday it will station nearly 100,000 police, soldiers and private security guards across its three World Cup host cities to protect fans...

U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica Starts WhatsApp Channel

The U.S. Embassy in San José has established a dedicated WhatsApp channel to provide U.S. citizens with timely safety and security information while in...

Thousands Stranded at Sea as Strait of Hormuz Shutdown

In a deepening humanitarian crisis amid escalating Middle East tensions, approximately 20,000 seafarers and 15,000 cruise ship passengers find themselves stranded in the turbulent...

Panama’s Tourism Surge in 2025 Puts Costa Rica on Notice

Panama recorded 3,004,266 international visitors in 2025. That total marks an 8.2 percent rise from the year before, according to figures released by the...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica