Costa Rica: World Cup team profile
A tough draw has Los Ticos in a highly competitive section
A small nation with a big heart, aiming to upset the establishment at the FIFA World Cup. Costa Rica returns to the big show after failing to make it to South Africa, but a tough draw has Los Ticos cast as the minnows in a highly competitive section. Could be a bumpy ride.
The Star
Bryan Ruiz. The tall, talented playmaker -- now back playing his club football in the Netherlands after a disappointing spell in the English Premier League -- will relish the chance to showcase his skills on the biggest stage of all. Costa Rica’s Group D opponents will need to keep a close eye on Ruiz.
Road to Rio
In a word: solid. Costa Rica won five out of five at home in The Hex and qualified for Brazil with two games to spare. Los Ticos were also top of the mean charts -- conceding only seven goals in 10 games. Their most eye-catching result was a 3-1 victory over the United States in San Jose.
Fast Facts
- World Cup Group: D
- Nickname: Los Ticos
- Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto
- Captain: Bryan Ruiz
- FIFA World Ranking: 28
- Best World Cup Result: Round of 16 - 1990
- Qualification Method: 2nd in CONCACAF Hexagonal
How they Fared in 2010
Did Not Qualify. (Costa Rica last appeared at the 2006 World Cup in Germany).
Fixtures
Group D
- Saturday June 14 -- Uruguay vs. Costa Rica, 3 p.m. ET
- Friday June 20 -- Italy vs. Costa Rica, Noon ET
- Tuesday June 24 -- Costa Rica vs. England, Noon ET
Outlook
Outsiders looking in on a group of death. Costa Rica’s impressive qualifying campaign was founded on its home form but now it must try and keep pace with three former World Cup winners. Ruiz and Alvaro Saborio can cause problems but scoring chances are likely to be at a premium in this company.