Costa Rica – World Cup Profile

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Road to Qatar 2022

Costa Rica became the 32nd and final team to qualify for Qatar 2022 following a 1-0 intercontinental play-off win over New Zealand in June 2022. It’s was a hard road to Qatar for the Central American side, who made a slow start to their CONCACAF qualification campaign. Early draws to Jamaica, Panama and Honduras and a defeat to Mexico meant that the five-time visitors to the World Cup were in real danger of missing out in Qatar. 

However, Coach Luis Fernando Suárez overhauled the fortunes of Costa Rica at the start of 2022, just when it started to matter. Crucially the introduction of younger attackers such as Jewison Bennette and Anthony Contreras refreshed an ageing side that had previously battled their way to Brazil and Russia. 

The youthful injection of talent inspired the Colombian tactician who picked up five wins from their final six qualifiers including a vital 0-0 draw in Mexico to push Costa Rica into the continental play-offs against New Zealand. 

It was Costa Rica who got the better of New Zealand in Doha thanks to a third-minute goal from Joel Campbell. Despite New Zealand dominating the contest, Costa Rica held on to secure a famous win, punching their ticket to a sixth World Cup.