Costa Rica will be making their sixth World Cup appearance in Qatar.
They achieved their best performance in 2014 when they made it to the quarter-finals, where Netherlands proved to be too strong after penalties.
However, they failed to get past the group stage at Russia 2018 and now face an uphill task to progress this time around as well after being dealt arguably the most difficult draw possible.
In Group E, along with 2010 winners Spain, four-time champions Germany and Asian powerhouse Japan, Costa Rica will need everything to go their way if they are to cause any upsets.
Below is the final 26-man list that has been picked for Qatar.
Keylor Navas, even at 35, is one of the first names that comes to mind when talking Los Ticos and the PSG man remains a fantastic option between the sticks.
Esteban Alvarado and Patrick Sequeira will provide capable back-up to Navas.
Name | Club |
---|---|
Esteban Alvarado | Herediano |
Patrick Sequeira | Lugo |
Keylor Navas | Paris Saint-Germain |
Juan Pablo Vargas, Oscar Duarte and Francisco Calvo are Costa Rica's usual suspects at centre-back.
Meanwhile, Keysher Fuller, Carlos Martinez, Bryan Oviedo and Kendall Waston are the set full-back options.
Name | Club |
---|---|
Juan Pablo Vargas | Millonarios |
Keysher Fuller | Herediano |
Oscar Duarte | Al-Wehda |
Bryan Oviedo | Real Salt Lak |
Francisco Calvo | Konyaspor |
Kendall Waston | Deportivo Saprissa |
Carlos Martinez | San Carlos |
Ronald Matarrita | Cincinnati |
Daniel Chacon | Colorado Rapids |
Costa Rica have a lot of experience in the centre of the park.
Celso Borges has over 150 international caps and Bryan Ruiz is also nearing that mark, sharing the playmaker responsibilities with Brandon Aguilera and Daniel Chacon.
Gerson Torres, Douglas Lopez and Jewison Bennette and Aaron Suarez generally play out wide.
It will be Yeltsin Tejeda's third World Cup.
Name | Club |
---|---|
Celso Borges | Alajuelense |
Jewison Bennette | Sunderland |
Bryan Ruiz | Alajuelense |
Anthony Hernandez | Puntarenas |
Douglas Lopez | Santos de Guapile |
Gerson Torres | Herediano |
Roan Wilson | Grecia |
Alvaro Zamora | Deportivo Saprissa |
Brandon Aguilera | AD Guanacasteca |
Yeltsin Tejeda | Herediano |
Youstin Salas | Saprissa |
Johan Venegas is Costa Rica's go-to man up front, besides Anthony Contreras and former Arsenal forward Joel Campbell.
Name | Club |
---|---|
Anthony Contreras | Herediano |
Johan Venegas | Alajuelense |
Joel Campbell | Leon |
Navas will start in goal.
Waston will likely start at right full-back, with Oviedo at left full-back and Duarte and Calvo starting through the middle.
The midfield will be kept compact by Borges, with Ruiz offering some creativity through the middle.
Fuller and Bennette can cause problems on the wings, with Venegas joining Campbell up front.
Costa Rica XI (4-4-2): Navas; Watson, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo; Fuller, Borges, Ruiz, Bennette; Venegas, Campbell
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