Costa Rica national football team
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| Costa Rica national football team | |
|---|---|
 CRCFF · Public domain · source | |
| Name | Costa Rica |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Coach | Óscar Ramírez |
| Captain | Bryan Ruiz |
| Most caps | Celso Borges (137) |
| Top scorer | Rolando Fonseca (47) |
| Home stadium | Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica |
| Fifa code | CRC |
| Fifa max | 13 |
| Fifa max date | July 2014 |
| Fifa min | 54 |
| Fifa min date | August 2007 |
| World cup first | 1990 |
| World cup best | Quarter-finals (2014) |
Costa Rica national football team is the men's international association football side representing Costa Rica. The team is governed by the Costa Rican Football Federation and competes inCONCACAF and global tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Known for producing prominent players who have starred in Major League Soccer, La Liga, and Serie A, the team achieved its best result by reaching the quarter-finals at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
History
Costa Rica's international beginnings trace to matches against regional rivals like Nicaragua and Panama and early competition in the CONCACAF Championship and CONCACAF Nations Cup. The team made its World Cup debut at 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy after qualifying through CONCACAF, featuring players who later moved to MLS and Liga MX. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Costa Rica developed talent that competed in UEFA leagues such as La Liga, Serie B, and Primeira Liga, while securing regional honors in tournaments such as the Copa Centroamericana and participating in multiple editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The squad's historic run at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil—anchored by figures from Saprissa and Alajuelense—included victories over Uruguay, Italy, and Greece, culminating in a quarter-final against Netherlands. Post-2014 cycles saw managerial changes involving coaches with experience in South America and Europe, and qualification campaigns for subsequent World Cups, CONCACAF tournaments, and the Copa América invitees.
Team identity and badge
The team's kit and badge draw on national symbols from San José, Costa Rica and the country's flag, reflecting colors used by clubs such as Deportivo Saprissa and Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. The crest issued by the Costa Rican Football Federation has evolved over decades, incorporating elements referencing the national coat of arms and motifs associated with Costa Rican provinces like Puntarenas and Guanacaste. Iconic players such as Keylor Navas, Óscar Duarte, and Bryan Ruiz have become linked with the badge through performances in UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and CONCACAF Champions League fixtures. National identity also manifests in chants from supporters in venues like Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica and in tifos displayed during matches against rivals Mexico national football team and United States men's national soccer team.
Competitive record
Costa Rica has qualified for multiple editions of the FIFA World Cup, debuting in 1990 FIFA World Cup and achieving its best performance in 2014 FIFA World Cup (quarter-finals). In CONCACAF competitions, the team has contested the CONCACAF Gold Cup and predecessors such as the CONCACAF Championship, and has won regional honors in the Copa Centroamericana. Costa Rica has appeared as an invited side in Copa América tournaments alongside nations from CONMEBOL like Brazil and Argentina. The national side has also participated in Olympic qualifying tournaments tied to the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament and friendly competitions involving clubs and national teams from CONMEBOL, UEFA, and AFC regions.
Players
Squads historically mix domestic talent from clubs such as Saprissa, Alajuelense, and Herediano with internationals plying trade at Real Madrid, PSG, Tottenham Hotspur, Bologna FC, and FC Copenhagen. Prominent figures include goalkeeper Keylor Navas (noted for UEFA Champions League success), forward Joel Campbell (with experience in Arsenal and La Liga), midfielder Bryan Ruiz (captain and veteran of Eredivisie and Primeira Liga), and striker Rolando Fonseca (all-time top scorer). Emerging prospects often move to MLS sides such as LAFC and D.C. United or to academies in Spain and Portugal. Player development pipelines involve youth setups linked to Costa Rican Football Federation programs and continental youth tournaments like the CONCACAF U-20 Championship and FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Coaching staff and management
Management has included domestic and foreign tacticians with experience in South America, Europe, and CONCACAF circuits. Coaches such as Óscar Ramírez (footballer), Jorge Luis Pinto, and Rónald González have overseen World Cup qualification and regional campaigns, often supported by assistants and technical directors who previously worked in club competitions like the CONCACAF Champions League and Copa Libertadores. The federation's sporting structure collaborates with scouting networks across Central America, North America, and Europe to identify talent for national team call-ups and to coordinate training at facilities in San José.
Stadium and kits
Home matches are primarily staged at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San José, with occasional fixtures at historic grounds like Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá and Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. Kits have been supplied by international manufacturers and feature the national colors of Costa Rica—red, white, and blue—while nodding to club heritage from Saprissa and Alajuelense. Alternate kits sometimes reference coastal regions such as Limón and provincial patterns from Cartago.
Records and statistics
Leading appearance and scoring records include caps leader Celso Borges and top scorer Rolando Fonseca. Goalkeeping records are held by Keylor Navas for clean sheets accrued during continental and FIFA World Cup play. Historical milestones include World Cup debut in 1990 FIFA World Cup, the quarter-final run at 2014 FIFA World Cup, and regional titles in the Copa Centroamericana. Statistical tracking covers FIFA rankings administered by FIFA, CONCACAF competition records, and player club affiliations across leagues like La Liga, Premier League, MLS, and Serie A.