The Costa Rica World Cup 2022 squad has been revealed, featuring familiar names like Keylor Navas, Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell.
The Ticos are on their best-ever streak of qualification, appearing in a third successive World Cup (and a sixth overall).
Their most glorious moment came in 2014, though.
Costa Rica’s run to the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals will probably end up as a film on Netflix: small Caribbean country tops the Group of Death ahead of England, Italy and Uruguay to win over millions of fans. Alas, the 2018 sequel ended far too soon, and so the same, ageing cast are back for one more job – but even national hero Keylor Navas is a luxury back-up at PSG now. Franchise over?
They'll need to stay positive at the Qatar World Cup 2022, because, during qualifying, they had just one win from their opening seven qualifiers, but six victories and a draw after that, shutting out each of the three teams above them, set up a play-off against New Zealand.
Joel Campbell’s third-minute goal saw off the All Whites, and the ex-Arsenal man – along with Navas, former Everton full-back Bryan Oviedo and 37-year-old captain Bryan Ruiz, once of Fulham – will continue to coax along a squad that mainly plies its trade domestically but does have the odd young prospect, like 18-year-old Sunderland summer signing Jewison Bennette.
They have a strong defence and plenty of experience within the squad, too. Qatar 2022’s oldest team have lots of the latter, while the former has improved greatly this year as Luis Fernando Suarez’s methods take root – with the pressure on, they conceded only once in their last seven qualifiers, showing notable organisation and resilience. Grind, keep it goalless and see what happens: this is a minnow’s recipe for success at the World Cup – and it worked in 2014...
They'll need to score more, though. Costa Rica managed a paltry 14 goals in 15 matches in qualifying and the play-off, Campbell top-scoring with just three. For all of the team’s industry, quality is desperately lacking, although the up-and-coming Anthony Contreras is one to keep an eye on.
Having been drawn against four-time champions Germany, 2010 winners Spain, and Japan, Costa Rica face an almost impossible task.
Costa Rica World Cup 2022 squad
Costa Rica World Cup 2022 squad: The final 26-man team
- GK: Keylor Navas (PSG)
- GK: Esteban Alvarado (Herediano)
- GK: Patrick Sequeira (Lugo)
- DF: Juan Pablo Vargas (Millonarios)
- DF: Keysher Fuller (Herediano)
- DF: Oscar Duarte (Al-Wehda)
- DF: Bryan Oviedo (Real Salt Lake)
- DF: Francisco Calvo (Konyaspor)
- DF: Kendall Watson (Deportivo Saprissa)
- DF: Carlos Martinez (San Carlos)
- DF: Ronald Matarrita (FC Cincinnati)
- MF: Celso Borges (Alajuelense)
- MF: Jewison Bennette (Sunderland)
- MF: Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense)
- MF: Daniel Chacon (Colorado Rapids 2)
- MF: Anthony Hernandez (Puntarenas)
- MF: Douglas Lopez (Herediano)
- MF: Youstin Salas (Saprissa)
- MF: Yeltsin Tejeda (Herediano)
- MF: Gerson Torres (Herediano)
- MF: Roan Wilson (Municipal Grecia)
- MF: Alvaro Zamora (Deportivo Saprissa)
- MF: Brandon Aguilera (Nottingham Forest)
- FW: Anthony Contreras (Herediano)
- FW: Johan Venegas (Alajuelense)
- FW: Joel Campbell (Leon)
Costa Rica top scorers
One goal: Keysher Fuller, Yeltsin Tejeda
Costa Rica manager
Who is Costa Rica's manager for the 2022 World Cup?
Luis Fernando Suarez received a four-year contract in August as reward for guiding a third nation to the World Cup, after unexpected qualifications for Ecuador in 2006 and Honduras in 2014. As a strong, defensive-minded tactician who demands discipline and makes his teams hard to beat, the Colombian veteran thrives as underdog.
Costa Rica's star player
Who is Costa Rica's best player?
Keylor Navas is a living legend in Costa Rica. Widely considered to be the best goalkeeper in CONCACAF history, the Ligue 1, La Liga and three-time Champions League winner has almost single-handleably put his country on the footballing map. The 35-year-old's experience is crucial if they are to even dream of making it out of a tough group.
Costa Rica World Cup 2022 squad: How many players are Costa Rica allowed to take?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure brought in due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was subsequently announced that 26-player squads will return for the Qatar World Cup, an expansion from the usual 23-man teams.
