Costa Rica is the fourth qualifier from the North American region for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, needing to win an intercontinental playoff in New Zealand last summer.
It looked bleak for Costa Rica at the start of North American qualifying, but they finished in spectacular fashion to secure fourth place for a berth in the intercontinental playoffs. Joel Campbell’s early goal saw them win over the Kiwis in June.
Unfortunately, Los Ticos must now navigate one of the toughest draws of the entire World Cup, drawn in Group E alongside two European powers and a strong Asian side. But World Cup spring upsets are nothing new, especially from the top of the group. England, Italy, and Uruguay in 2014.
Costa Rica travels to Qatar on November 10, with Los Ticos beating Nigeria 2–0 on November 9 in their last friendly. They will begin World Cup play on Wednesday, November 23.
Costa Rica World Cup Squad 2022 Final
Manager Luis Fernando Suarez announced his final squad on Thursday, November 3 and has chosen an eye to the future. Almost half of his final World Cup roster was made up of players 25 years old or younger (11 out of 26 total). But with that comes some inexperience, as 11 members of the 26-man squad have fewer than 10 international caps.
Veterans Keylor Navas (age 35), Kendall Weston (34), Celso Borges (34), Bryan Ruiz (37), and Joel Campbell (30) are all still there. In fact, former Arsenal man Campbell is one of three forwards listed in the final squad.
Among the unexpected losses were attacking midfielder Randall Leal (Nashville SC), wingers Alonso Martinez (Lommel SK) and Ariel Lassiter (Inter Miami), and right-back Christian Gamboa (VfL Bochum). A young backup ‘keeper, Patrick Sequeira, was also preferred over Alajuelense veteran Lionel Moreira.
In the case of Herediano’s Orlando Gallo, the manager confirmed he would have been on the roster had it not been for the provisional suspension issued by FIFA following a positive doping test.
Left-back Ronaldo Matarita is injured but Suarez is confident he will recover in time.
Here is the final 26-member squad:
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
| GK | 18 | Esteban Alvarado | Herediano (CRC) | 33 | 24 |
| GK | 1 | Keylor Navas | PSG (FRA) | 35 | 107 |
| GK | 23 | Patrick Sequeira | CD Lugo (SPA) | 23 | 2 |
| DEF | 15 | Francisco Calvo | Konyaspor (TUR) | 30 | 75 |
| DEF | 6 | Oscar Duarte | Al-Wehda (SAU) | 33 | 70 |
| DEF | 4 | Keysher Fuller | Herediano (CRC) | 28 | 29 |
| DEF | 16 | Carlos Martinez | San Carlos (CRC) | 23 | 5 |
| DEF | 22 | Ronald Matarrita | FC Cincinnati (USA) | 28 | 52 |
| DEF | 8 | Bryan Oviedo | Real Salt Lake (USA) | 32 | 74 |
| DEF | 3 | Juan Pablo Vargas | Millonarios (COL) | 27 | 11 |
| DEF | 19 | Kendall Waston | Saprissa (CRC) | 34 | 61 |
| DEF | 2 | Daniel Chacon | Colorado Rapids (USA) | 21 | 8 |
| MID | 20 | Brandon Aguilera | Guanacasteca (CRC) | 19 | 4 |
| MID | 9 | Jewison Bennette | Sunderland (ENG) | 18 | 7 |
| MID | 5 | Celso Borges | Alajuelense (CRC) | 34 | 154 |
| MID | 25 | Anthony Hernandez | Puntarenas (CRC) | 21 | 2 |
| MID | 21 | Douglas Lopez | Herediano (CRC) | 24 | 2 |
| MID | 10 | Bryan Ruiz | Alajuelense (CRC) | 37 | 144 |
| MID | 14 | Youstin Salas | Saprissa (CRC) | 26 | 3 |
| MID | 17 | Yeltsin Tejeda | Herediano (CRC) | 30 | 73 |
| MID | 13 | Gerson Torres | Herediano (CRC) | 25 | 12 |
| MID | 24 | Roan Wilson | Grecia (CRC) | 20 | 2 |
| MID | 26 | Alvaro Zamora | Saprissa (CRC) | 20 | 2 |
| FWD | 12 | Joel Campbell | Club Leon (MEX) | 30 | 118 |
| FWD | 7 | Anthony Contreras | Herediano (CRC) | 22 | 8 |
| FWD | 11 | Johan Venegas | Alajuelense (CRC) | 33 | 80 |
The Stars, Strengths, and Weaknesses of the Costa Rica National Team
Los Ticos are in their third consecutive World Cup and have placed in five of the last six editions. At this point, the global audience will probably recognize a few names, some of which were part of the famous quarterfinal run in 2014.
STARS
The undisputed international star of the Costa Rica team is goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who is considered the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the CONCACAF (North American) region. Navas spent years as a Real Madrid starter, winning three Champions League titles. He is currently stuck behind Gigi Donnarumma at PSG and has struggled for playing time as he approaches the final stages of his career.
There are two heavily experienced presences on the Costa Rica side who have enjoyed long careers at foreign clubs. Celso Borges is one of the most experienced internationals at the World Cup with 154 caps, having spent several seasons at Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna before returning to Costa Rica. Bryan Ruiz, meanwhile, spent significant time at Dutch side Twente before moving to Fulham in the Premier League, ending his long European career at Portuguese side Sporting.
Borges still contributes heavily at the international level, but Ruiz is now more of a bench option. However, the presence of both will be crucial for a Costa Rica team that has many inexperienced players.
POWERS
This Costa Rica side is known for its physicality and ability to grind out results, starting with an astute backline and a talented group of defensive midfielders.
Veteran Borges should be heavily involved in his World Cup journey in holding midfield, and behind him will be a wall of prolific defenders including Kendall Waston, Kesher Fuller, and Oscar Duarte who can either rotate into a traditional four-back system or If they go with three people in the back, everyone starts in unison.
WEAKNESS
This year’s World Cup comes at an inconvenient time in the development of this Costa Rica roster. They are stuck between experienced players who are not yet finished with their careers while replacing them with youngsters who are not yet established in the national team.
Navas is still the top goalkeeper, but Ruiz, Borges, Duarte, and Weston have slowed down with age, as have veterans Brian Oviedo and Johan Venegas, who are all 32 or older, and former Arsenal youngster Joel Campbell. Faded at 30.
Promising young players like Jevison Bennett, Daniel Chacon, Brandon Aguilera, and Carlos Martinez are still green, and while they show promising talent, it is difficult for the national team to fully integrate them and still produce positive results in the tough CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.