Synopsis
The national team of Costa Rica (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Costa Rica) is administered by the Costa Rican Football Federation (FEDEFUTBOL). The team represents Costa Rica in the international football a s sociation. FIFA has ranked the country in 26th position.
CAPTION: Costa Rica national team SOURCE: Pinterest Costa Rica is a member of FIFA since 1927. The team is a member of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) since 1961, and a member of the Central American Football Union (UNCAF) since 1990.
Walter Centeno (1995-2009) is the most capped player on the team with 137 caps and Ronaldo Fonseca (1992-2011) is the top scorer with 47 goals.
Óscar Ramírez
Head Coach, Óscar Ramírez currently manages the Costa Rican national team. He is a former Costa Rican player who played as a midfielder for the clubs like Alajuelense and Saprissa, becoming a star and an idol for both teams’ fans.
CAPTION: Oscar Ramirez SOURCE: futbolcentroamerica.com Ramirez made his managerial debut as an a s sistant coach in Saprissa, making victory in less than three years. Ramirez took a charge of the Costa Rica national team in 2006. He was announced as the head coach of the team on October 28, 2006.
Bryan Ruiz, The Star
The Costa Rica national team is currently captained by Bryan Ruiz. Ruiz is a Costa Rican professional, currently plays as an attacking midfielder for the Portuguese club Sporting CP and Costa Rica national team. He can also play as a second striker.
CAPTION: Bryan Ruiz SOURCE: Daily Mirror Ruiz scored a goal in the 2018 World Cup qualification making a 2-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago. He is currently an active most capped player with 109 caps and top scorer with 23 goals.
Ramírez's Achievements
Club
Alajuelense
- CONCACAF Champions' Cup: 2004
- Copa Interclubes UNCAF: 2005
- Primera División: 2004–05
Twente
- Eredivisie: 2009–10
- KNVB Cup: 2010–11
- Johan Cruijff Schaal: 2010, 2011
Sporting CP
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2015
- International
- Costa Rica
- Copa Centroamericana: 2014
Individual
- CONCACAF Player of the Year: 2016
- Jean-Claude Bouvy Trophy: 2008, 2009
- Player of the season at FC Twente: 2010
- Goal of the Month (England): October 2011
Joel Campbell
Costa Rican professional, Joel Campbell currently plays for the Costa Rican national team and Real Betis on loan from Arsenal. He plays as a forward and can also be deployed on the wings.
CAPTION: Joel Campbell SOURCE: Daily Express Campbell joined the club Arsenal in 2011 and was thereafter loaned out to French side Lorient, Spanish club Real Betis, and Greek outfit Olympiacos. He has earned over 50 caps for Costa Rica and was a vital member of the team leading them to a victory in the 2014 Copa Centroamericana.
Campbell played a key role for the Costa Rican side which reached the last eight of the 2014 FIFA Cup and also helped Costa Rica to reach the quarterfinals of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He scored a 1 goal leading the team to a 4-0 victory in the 2018 qualification match against America.
Campbell's Achievements
Club
Olympiacos
- Superleague Greece: 2013–14
- Arsenal
- FA Community Shield: 2014
International
- Costa Rica
- Copa Centroamericana: 2014
Individual
- Top scorer: 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championship
Here's the list of Costa Rica's 23-man list for World Cup 2018.
| Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
| Keylor Navas (Real Madrid), Patrick Pemberton (LDA), Leonel Moreira (Herediano) | Cristian Gamboa (Celtic), Ian Smith (Norrkoping), Ronald Matarrita (NYCFC), Bryan Oviedo (Sunderland), Oscar Duarte (Espanyol), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Bologna), Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Acosta (Aguilas Dorados) | David Guzman (Portland Timbers), Yeltsin Tejeda (Lausanne), Celso Borges (Deportivo La Coruna), Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Rodney Wallace (NYCFC), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting Lisbon), Daniel Colindres (Saprissa), Christian Bolanos (Saprissa) | Johan Venegas (Saprissa), Joel Campbell (Real Betis), Marco Urena (LAFC) |
World Cup 2018
Costa Rica has made 4 FIFA appearances to date. The national squad made their FIFA debut in 1990. The team won FIFA qualification against America and Trinidad and Tobago. They tied in the match against Mexico (1-1), Panama (0-0), and Honduras (1-1) and lost to Mexico (2-0) and Panama (2-1).
Costa Rica will be playing their further matches against Serbia, Brazil, and Switzerland.
Have a look at this World Cup 2018 Schedule for more details regarding the matches.
