Costa Rica is another country in the CONCACAF zone to represent in the twenty-second edition of the World Cup football, and Costa Rican national team has qualified for FIFA World Cup six times, including Qatar World Cup 2022.
Costa Rica won a spot in Qatar World Cup after winning the intercontinental confederation play-off against New Zealand from the Oceana Football Confederation (OFC). Read more about Costa Rican football teams, history, and Qatar World Cup preparation.
Brief History of Costa Rican Football
Football developed in Costa Rica in the early nineteenth century. Costa Rica made its debut in an international match against El Salvador at the independence Centenary Games in 1921 held in Guatemala City. They earned a victory in the first match, and they won El Salvador with seven goals.
In the tournament’s final, Costa Rica scored six goals against host Guatemala to lift the trophy.
In the 1950s to 60s, it was the strongest team in the CONCACAF region behind Mexico. During that era, Many Costa Rican footballers received the spotlight in world football. However, it could not qualify for the FIFA World Cup until 1990. Costa Rica is Central America’s most successful nation to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup. It won three times (1963, 1969, and 1989).
Furthermore, Costa Rica is the most successful team in the UNCAF Championship (Copa Centroamericana). It has won the titles eight times. Many Costa Rican players play professional soccer from several clubs based in Europe and America.
Costa Rica at the FIFA World Cup
Costa Rica has a poor score in terms of FIFA World Cup history. The nation debuted in 1990 at Italy World Cup and reached the pre-quarterfinals of the tournament. Then, it missed two World Cups; USA and France. Then, it qualified for the 2002 Japan & South Korea World Cup but could not surpass the group stage.
Costa Rican senior men’s team-best result of the World Cup was in 2014. It reached the quarterfinals of the Brazil World Cup but could not progress to the semifinals.
It lost the match against the Netherlands in a penalty shootout. And in 2018, Costa Rica did not succeed in the round of 16. Likewise, in the 2022 Qatar World Cup Costa Rican team made a selection after winning the intercontinental play-off with New Zealand. While Mexico, Canada, and United States directly qualified from their inter-confederation games.
Many Costa Rican players have played professional footballs from Europe, America, and other regions. To date, Costa Rica has produced several talented footballers famous in Costa Rica and globally. Among them, goalkeeper Kaylor Navas is the most successful Costa Rican player. He has played 107 caps since 2008 for Costa Rican national team.
Además de excelente entrenador, increíble persona. Gracias por llevarnos hasta el Mundial! pic.twitter.com/I5qIR3Dxk6
— Keylor Navas (@NavasKeylor) June 17, 2022
Navas is one of seven goalkeepers to win the title three times, which he did during his Real Madrid journey. Moreover, he plays for French Club Paris Saint German (PSG), previously in Spanish Giant Real Madrid from 2014-2018. Navas is one of the players who have played with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the World’s greatest players of this era.
He was a counterpart of Ronaldo in Real Madrid, whereas he is a teammate of Lionel Messi at PSG.
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Costa Rica Qatar World Cup 2022 Squad| Preparation
Costa Rica is one of the selected nations out of 32 countries from all over the globe for the Qatar World Cup. It will place in Group E and face Spain, Germany, and Japan in group matches. Likewise, Costa Rica will play the first match against Spain on 23 November 2022 at Al Thumama Stadium.
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The Central American champion team has several players who will appear in this world Cup, including Kaylor Navas, Celso Borges, Joel Campbell, and captain Bryan Ruiz.
The Costa Rican team leads by Columbian manager Luis Fernando Suarez. He has been managing the team since 2021, and his major achievement is the FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Costa Rican football federation is yet to announce its national team, but here are the potential players who will represent the country in Qatar World Cup.
Goalkeepers
- Keylor Navas (PSG-France)
- Esteban Alvarado (Herediano)
- Leonel Moreira (Alajuelense)
- Aarón Cruz (Saprissa)
Defenders
- Francisco Calvo (San Jose Earthquakes-USA)
- Juan Pablo Vargas (Millonarios-Colombia)
- Kendall Waston (Saprissa)
- Óscar Duarte (Levante-Spain)
- Daniel Chacón (Cartaginés)
- Juan Luis Pérez (San Carlos)
- Ricardo Blanco (Saprissa)
- Carlos Martínez (San Carlos)
- Bryan Oviedo (FC Copenhagen- Denmark)
- Ian Lawrence (Alajuelense)
- Keysher Fuller (Herediano)
Midfielders
- Celso Borges (Alajuelense)
- Yeltsin Tejeda (Herediano)
- Orlando Galo (Herediano)
- Roan Wilson (Grecia)
- Carlos Mora (Alajuelense)
- Allen Guevara (Cartaginés)
- Bryan Ruiz (Captain) (Alajuelense)
- Brandon Aguilera (Guanacasteca)
- Gerson Torres (Herediano)
- Jewison Bennette (Herediano)
Fowards
- Joel Campbell (Monterrey-Mexico)
- Anthony Contreras (Guanacasteca)
- Johan Venegas (Alajuelense)
Source: Tico Times
