Profile
Last time Costa Rica was at the World Cup, Paulo Wanchope was still part of the team. While they failed to qualify from a reasonable group in Germany eight years ago, Los Ticos face a tough challenge to progress past two of England, Italy and Uruguay in Group D.
Not that the team lacks quality. Arsenal-owned forward Joel Campbell starred on loan at Olympiakos this season, scoring against Manchester United, while Bryan Ruiz has played in the Premier League.
However the loss of Real Salt Lake striker Alvaro Saborio to a foot injury is a major blow.
Costa Rica qualified with relative comfort, finishing second to the USA in the six-team CONCACAF qualifying group and ending up with the best defensive record.
Latest news and features
Team 33 put the spotlight on Keylor Navas
Off The Ball on Costa Rica's moment in the sun
The CONCACAF World Cup teams shouldn't have surprised us
What is the secret to Costa Rica's success?
Costa Rica shock Italy and knock out England in one fell swoop
Ireland left frustrated against 10 man Costa Rica
Everton's Oviedo has successful op on broken leg
World Cup Record
Appearances: 4
Best Result: Second Round (1990)
Squad
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Levante), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense) Daniel Cambronero (Herediano).
Defenders: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), Michael Umana (Saprissa), Oscar Duarte (Bruges), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), Heiner Mora (Saprissa), Junior Diaz (Mainz 05), Christian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls).
Midfielders: Celso Borges (AIK), Christian Bolanos (Copenhagen), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa), Diego Calvo (Valerenga), Jose Miguel Cubero (Herediano).
Forwards: Bryan Ruiz (PSV Eindhoven, on loan from Fulham), Joel Campbell (Olympiakos), Randall Brenes (Cartagines), Marco Urena (FC Kuban Krasnodar).
Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto
Fixtures and Results
Group D
June 14 vs Uruguay (Fortaleza) 3 - 1 (W)
June 20 vs Italy (Recife) 1 - 0 (W)
June 24 vs England (Belo Horizonte) 0 - 0 (D)
