Costa Ricans given extra-long lunch break to cheer on Los Ticos in World Cup finals play-off

Tuesday's game against New Zealand will decide the last team to qualify for the winter World Cup in Qatar

Costa Rica's players sing the national anthem prior to a qualifying game against the United States for World Cup 2022

Government workers in Costa Rica will be given extra time off for lunch to watch their national team take on New Zealand in a playoff to decide the last team to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

The edict from President Rodrigo Chaves allowing Costa Rican public sector workers to follow the broadcast in an extended lunch break Tuesday (7pm kick off Irish time) will come as something of a shock to the team from New Zealand, where rugby is the national sporting obsession.