World Cup jersey sales hold firm in Jamaica after Brazil's early exit

World Cup football merchandise is still moving at a healthy pace in Jamaica, even as several heavyweight nations have already been eliminated from the tournament, a local vendor said in a recent interview.

The seller reported that business since kickoff has been encouraging, though the returns are modest. Brazil shirts had been the top draw, with Argentina kits featuring Lionel Messi close behind. Since Brazil's departure, Argentina merchandise has taken on a larger share of demand.

The vendor, a devoted Brazil supporter, described customers becoming tearful when the five-time champions were knocked out. She admitted she cried as well and that her husband had to tell her to calm down.

She also spoke with pride about Jamaica's standing in global football, noting that while the country has never won a World Cup, opposing sides still treat the Reggae Boyz as a formidable opponent — a reputation she likened to facing a "five star general."

When asked whether merchants should dash unsold Brazil stock after the team's defeat, she pushed back firmly. A die-hard supporter of the Seleção, she said her faith in the squad runs deeper than any single result and she is not about to abandon the jerseys because of rain.

On hand, she estimated she had about six Brazil flags and four suits left. She planned to wash the remaining shirts rather than retire them. She confirmed jerseys remain on offer, though she did not quote specific prices during the exchange.

Looking toward the rest of the year, she struck an upbeat tone. Every tournament produces winners and losers, she noted, and she expected overall sales to finish in positive territory. Pressed on which nation might ultimately claim the title, she said: "If anyone should win it, it would be Norway."