World Cup 2022

When the World Cup conversation turns to Costa Rica, it’s tough not to immediately recall their 2014 adventure, in which they escaped a group with England, Italy and Uruguay and made it all the way to the quarter-finals, where the Dutch knocked them out on penalties.

Their 2018 follow-up, though, was pretty bleak - zero wins, one point, out at the group stage. So, which campaign are they more likely to emulate? Sadly, it’s probably the latter.

Who is the Costa Rica manager?

Manager Luis Fernando Suarez has a really tough job here, and he’s not exactly starting from a universally popular position. 

He’s been extremely reluctant to call up or utilise some of Costa Rica’s best players, such as Randall Leal or Cristian Gamboa, and although he is vastly experienced in international management, there’s fair concern he’s hamstringing himself on quality to work with.

What tactics can we expect from them at the World Cup?

He’s cycled through a fair few formations in the last few years, with 4-5-1 emerging as successful during qualifying. It’s a shape that provides Los Ticos the chance to bed in and be defensive and compact. They’ll also mix in some 5-4-1 looks when they really dig deep.

The football played will be some of the most reactive you’ll see at the tournament, asking a lot of the defence in terms of withstanding pressure, and a lot of the wingers when it comes to counter-attacking.

If Suarez turns to a 5-man defence, expect man mountain Kendall Waston to slot into the centre at the expense of an attacker.

 

Who are the players to watch for Costa Rica?

Part of the reason Costa Rica feel comfortable sitting in and absorbing pressure like this is the presence of Keylor Navas. Star man and greatest player in his country’s history, he will hope to repeat his heroics of 2014 between the sticks.

It’s not often a goalkeeper can have such an effect on a team’s fortunes, but Navas is truly an exception. It’s like he reaches another level when representing his nation, pulling off impossible saves left and right.

With the pressure Costa Rica are set to invite on themselves, there’s no doubt Navas will have ample chance to impress.

Who is favourite to be top scorer for Costa Rica?

Back in 2014, Navas used the World Cup as a platform to break out and win a move to Real Madrid. He shared that breakout spotlight with Joel Campbell, who is a best price 9/2 to be Costa Rica's Top Goalscorer. Campbell, himself, earned a brief stint in Arsenal’s first-team setup.

Both remain key for Los Ticos and Campbell’s the man they’ll look to for goals - although defensive work rate might factor equally in the tactical brief Suarez gives him.

How did Costa Rica qualify for the World Cup?

For Campbell, Navas and many others, this will be their final World Cup - so you can be sure they’ll find time to enjoy the gruelling defensive work and running they’re set for.

To be honest, it’s a miracle they’ve even made it this far: They began the final round of CONCACAF qualifying poorly, failing to win any of the first four, so had to win six of their final seven to nick a playoff spot.

They then travelled to Qatar and beat New Zealand thanks to Joel Campbell’s 3rd minute goal.

What are the ambitions for this Costa Rica team?

That landed them a spot in Group E, alongside Spain, Germany and Japan. It’s the Group of Death in many’s eyes, with Costa Rica firmly the worst side on paper.

That, perhaps, is why it’s so easy to think back to 2014. They achieved the impossible back then, so why not now?

But sadly, this squad is older, lacks refreshment in key areas, and cannot possibly be expected to even qualify from the group.

Costa Rica World Cup Odds

The odds for them to lift the trophy in December reflect their tough group. You can get Costa Rica at a best price of 1000/1 to win the World Cup - but it’s not a bet we’d recommend!

Costa Rica World Cup prediction from oddschecker

Luis Fernando Suarez's men face a tough assignment having been put into the "Group of Death" with Germany, Spain and Japan. Despite their heroics in the 2014 World Cup it is more than likely they will be knocked out in the Group Stages, with an ageing squad and lack of talent to take them any further.