They shocked the world by reaching the quarter-finals in 2014, and the Costa Ricans will be hoping for a repeat result this time around.
Costa Rica Factfile
- FIFA World Ranking: 25
- Sky Bet outright winner odds:
- Best Bet:
- World Cup appearances: 4
- Best World Cup finish: Quarter-finals (2014)
- Nickname: Los Ticos (The Costa Ricans)
Coach – Oscar Ramirez: Ramirez was handed the Costa Rica managerial job in somewhat bizarre fashion. After initially being recruited as Paulo Wanchope’s assistant manager in 2015, Wanchope then resigned as manager following a post-match brawl with a steward at an U23 match against Panama. Ramirez was handed the reins a week later.
Legend – Paulo Wanchope: The man, the myth, the legend. Wanchope is an enigmatic character probably best remembered for his wonder goal for Derby County against Manchester United in 1997.
Derby aside, Wanchope also had spells at West Ham and Manchester City in the Premier League before moving to Malaga in 2004.
On the international stage Wanchope is Los Ticos’ all-time leading scorer, netting 45 goals from 71 appearances including two goals against Germany in the opening game of the 2006 World Cup.
Star Man – Bryan Ruiz: Formerly of Fulham, the now Sporting wideman has recently joined the 100-cap club for his country. Elegant and sophisticated on the ball, Ruiz’s time in England was a mixed bag with glimpses of quality pitted against frustration and a perceived lack of work ethic.
The Costa Rica skipper bagged two goals in the 2014 World Cup including a shock winner against Italy in the group stages. He also scored his team’s only goal in the last 16 1-1 draw with Greece before converting his penalty in the shootout to see his side through to the uncharted territories of the World Cup quarter-finals.
Did you know? In the 2014 World Cup quarter-final, Costa Rica were on the receiving end of a debatably inspired substitution by then Holland manager Louis van Gaal. After Jasper Cillessen survived 120 minutes of the match with his goal unscathed, the goalkeeper was then substituted for Tim Krul deep into added time. Krul saved two Costa Rica penalties to send the Netherlands through to the semi-finals.
Fun Fact: Costa Rica were one of three unbeaten teams (before penalties) at the 2014 World Cup, along with Germany and the Netherlands.
Qualifying: Los Ticos finished second to Mexico in their qualifying group, four points ahead of the USA.
Group E Fixtures: Serbia (1pm, June 17, Samara), Brazil (1pm, June 22, St Petersburg), Switzerland (7pm, June 27, Nizhny Novgorod)
Costa Rica squad
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Real Madrid), Patrick Pemberton (Liga Deportiva Alajuelense), Leonel Moreira (C.S. Herediano).
Defenders: Cristian Gamboa (Celtic), Ian Smith (Santos de Guapiles F.C.), Ronald Matarrita (New York City), Bryan Oviedo (Sunderland), Oscar Duarte (Espanyol), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Bologna), Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Acosta (Rionegro Aguilas).
Midfielders: David Guzman (Portland Timbers), Yeltsin Tejeda (FC Lausanne-Sport), Celso Borges (Deportivo de La Coruna), Randall Azofeifa (C.S. Herediano), Rodney Wallace (New York City), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting CP), Daniel Colindres (Deportivo Saprissa), Christian Bolanos (Deportivo Saprissa).
Forwards: Johan Venegas (Deportivo Saprissa), Joel Campbell (Real Betis), Marco Urena (Los Angeles FC).
Costa Rica Profile
Locally known as Los Matacampeones – The Champion Killers – Costa Rica really will have to live up to that name if they hope to replicate their performance at the last World Cup. Drawn against five-time world champions Brazil as well as an improving Switzerland team, the Central Americans will have their work cut out for them if they hope to progress from Group E.
Odds correct as of 1400 BST 29/05/18