A Costa Rica Soccer Guide
A common saying in Costa Rica is that every community in the country—whether a city, town, village, or something even smaller—has two things: a church (facing West) and a soccer field. There might not be anything else, but to be a community in Costa Rica, a place needs a church and a soccer field (some also say a bar). This speaks volumes about Costa Rican culture.
Soccer—or football, or, as it’s said in Spanish, fútbol—holds significant cultural importance in Costa Rica. The sport is deeply ingrained in the nation's identity and acts as a unifying element across different segments of society, bringing together Ticos from all backgrounds and regions.
This article is a comprehensive examination of soccer's cultural significance in Costa Rica. It will cover the sport's history, traditions, impact on communities, domestic league structure, women's soccer, youth development efforts, and the role soccer plays in shaping national identity.
Historical Roots
The origins of soccer’s popularity in Costa Rica can be traced back to the mid-1870s. However, it wasn't until 1887 that the country's first organized team, complete with uniforms and a regulation ball brought from England, began playing in the San José neighborhood of Tibás.
By the early 1900s, residents of San José had taken to playing organized games, and local sports clubs included the sport among their list of practiced activities, alongside baseball, fencing, bicycling, and horseback riding.
Soccer continued to spread in Costa Rica and, in 1921, after several failed attempts to centralize the sport, the National Soccer League officially formed with representatives from major clubs like Herediano, Alajuelense, and Cartaginés signing up. Costa Rica joined FIFA in 1927, allowing the national team to officially compete on a world stage.
The Story of La Sele
The unwavering support and pride for the national football team, affectionately known as La Sele (short for La Selección, The Selection), runs deep in Costa Rica. For decades, the team has served as a unifying force, bringing together Costa Ricans from all walks of life in celebration of their beloved squad.
La Sele's debut came at the 1921 Independence Centenary Games in Guatemala City, where they defeated El Salvador 7-0 in their first match and Guatemala 6-0 in the final to claim the trophy. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Costa Rica emerged as the second strongest team in the CONCACAF region behind Mexico, although it failed to qualify for the World Cup. It was El Salvador who became the first Central American country to qualify for the World Cup in 1970, leaving Costa Rica out until 1990 when they qualified for the 1990 World Cup in Italy (always referred to by the Ticos as Italia 90, and they all understand what you mean if you refer to it that way).
Costa Rica's first World Cup was a seminal moment, exceeding expectations by beating Scotland and Sweden to advance from the group stage before losing to Czechoslovakia in the second round. La Sele was on the map, and Costa Rican pride soared, even though it took another 12 years for them to qualify again.
In 2002, Costa Rica qualified for their second World Cup in Korea/Japan, where they beat China, drew against Turkey, and lost to Brazil before going out in the group stages. The game against Brazil drew particular pride in this World Cup, as Costa Rica scored two goals against the eventual champions. Costa Rica again qualified for Germany 2006, where they got a 2-2 draw against hosts Germany in the opener before losing against Ecuador and Poland to exit at the group stage. They didn’t qualify for South Africa 2010, but good things were on the horizon…
The 2014 World Cup
It was La Sele's performance in the 2014 World Cup that truly cemented their place in the nation's sporting folklore. Defying all odds, Costa Rica topped their group, which included former world champions Uruguay, Italy, and England.
In the group stage, they secured a surprising 3-1 victory over Uruguay and a goalless draw against England, confirming their position as group leaders. Captain Bryan Ruiz's decisive goal against Italy became an iconic moment, forever etched in the collective memory of the country.
As the team advanced to the knockout rounds, the nation celebrated each victory with fervor, pouring into the streets, waving flags, and chanting in support of their beloved Sele. Ruiz's opening goal against Greece in the Round of 16, followed by Keylor Navas' heroic penalty saves, propelled Costa Rica into the quarterfinals for the first time, and propelled Navas himself into his status as Costa Rica’s first-ever true global soccer star.
Although their journey ended against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, Costa Rica's disciplined play and strategic defense earned them admiration from fans worldwide, further solidifying the love and pride for the national team.
An Inspiring Legacy
Costa Rica went on to qualify for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, establishing themselves as World Cup regulars, a remarkable feat for such a small country, even if they’ve never been able to replicate that amazing feat from 2014.
Nonetheless, the team's performances have inspired a new generation of aspiring footballers, who dream of one day donning the iconic red jersey and representing their nation on the world stage. Whether it was the goals that beat Scotland and Sweden in 1990, taking the likes of Brazil and Germany to the brink in 2002 and 2006, or the giant-killing acts of 2014, the legacy of La Sele continues to resonate, reminding Costa Ricans of their ability to compete with the best in the world. It really means that much.
The Costa Rican League Structure
The domestic league system in Costa Rica is overseen by the Costa Rican Football Federation (FEDEFUTBOL, based on the name in Spanish), with the top-flight division called the Primera División (First Division), which consists of 12 teams.
The Primera División operates on a dual-season format, with the apertura (opening) tournament taking place from July to December, and the clausura (closing) tournament from January to May. Teams play a round-robin format, facing each other twice, home and away. At the end of each tournament, the top teams advance to the playoffs, with the winners crowned champions.
The promotion and relegation process ensure competitiveness across divisions. The bottom two teams from the Primera División are relegated to the Segunda División (Second Division), while the top two teams from the Segunda División are promoted to the top flight for the following season.
Winning the league championship holds great significance for clubs and their fans. It not only brings prestige (and bragging rights), it also secures a spot in the following season's CONCACAF Champions League, a prestigious regional club competition.
The Importance of Costa Rica's Domestic Leagues
Among the most successful and popular clubs in Costa Rica are Deportivo Saprissa from San José and Liga Deportiva Alajuelense from Alajuela. These two clubs have a fierce rivalry, known as the Clásico, the classic match which draws massive crowds and nationwide attention. It’s these two clubs that have won the vast majority of league titles (aperturas and clausuras) over the years, followed by Herediano. Most of the country will be invested in a Clásico match, and you’ll see people often sporting their team’s T-shirts or bearing stickers on their cars or laptops.
Although still popular, the domestic game in Costa Rica has come under some threat over the past couple of decades from televised soccer from abroad, particularly Spain and England. Many Costa Ricans nowadays support teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona instead of their local teams, which negatively affects ground attendance.
Nonetheless, the domestic leagues still play a role in developing and nurturing local talent. Young players get exposure and opportunities to hone their skills, potentially earning call-ups to the national team setup or attracting interest from those foreign clubs that many Costa Ricans now prefer to watch. This was, for example, the case of Keylor Navas, who came from a small league in the southern part of Costa Rica and is now a player in international teams.
The Community Impact of Soccer in Costa Rica
Soccer plays a crucial role in shaping communities and fostering social cohesion within Costa Rica. The sport brings people together, transcending social and economic divides. From neighborhood pick-up games to local club matches to watching, say, European Champions League in a bar, soccer provides a common ground for individuals to interact. It’s also a great way for foreign tourists to communicate with locals. Soccer is one of the biggest conversational icebreakers that exist in Costa Rica, from talking to taxi drivers and waiters to making friends on the beach.
Additionally, soccer has become a source of national pride, with the exploits of the national team and local clubs serving as a unifying force. Significant victories or achievements are celebrated collectively, reinforcing a shared sense of identity and belonging among Costa Ricans.
Several initiatives and programs have recognized the power of soccer as a tool for social development and youth empowerment. Organizations like Tacos 4 Ticos use the game to promote teamwork, discipline, and perseverance among underprivileged communities.
Women's Soccer in Costa Rica
Women's soccer in Costa Rica has experienced growing popularity and significance in recent years. While traditionally a male-dominated sport, efforts have been made to promote and support women's participation at various levels. They’re still the country’s underdogs, largely ignored by the biggest media, so make sure to check them out and promote them!
One of the notable challenges has been securing adequate resources and funding for women's soccer programs. However, progress has been made through initiatives by organizations like FEDEFUTBOL (Costa Rican Football Federation) and UNCAF (Union of Central American Soccer Federations) to develop grassroots programs and provide equal opportunities.
On the field, the Costa Rican women's national team has achieved notable successes, including qualifying for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in their history. Players like Shirley Cruz and Katherine Alvarado have become inspirational figures, paving the way for future generations of female soccer players in the country.
Future Outlook
The main challenge faced by Costa Rican soccer is to get more people involved and invested in the domestic game rather than following teams in Europe. Getting crowds back up at local stadiums—outside of the likes of Saprissa, Alajuelense, and Herediana—is crucial for the survival of soccer at the grassroots level.
On the field, Costa Rica aims to nurture young talent through youth academies and identification programs run by FEDEFUTBOL. Investing in modern training facilities and stadiums enhances the experience for players and fans and attracts major events elevating the country's soccer profile internationally.
Soccer's enduring legacy is its ability to unite the nation across social and economic lines through beloved traditions surrounding the national team, local clubs, and grassroots participation. The sport is deeply woven into the national fabric, passing down from generation to generation.
As Costa Rica continues investing in soccer programs and developing elite talent, the sport's unifying power persists as an integral part of the national identity. Soccer embodies the resilient, determined, and passionate spirit of Costa Ricans.
Somebody once supposedly said about the sport, “Football is not a matter of life and death. It’s more important than that.” When it comes to Costa Rica, this sentiment encapsulates it all.
