Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica’s national team, La Sele, kept their 2026 World Cup dreams alive with a 0-0 draw against Honduras on Thursday night.
They knew they needed points to stay in the hunt for a spot in the CONCACAF qualifiers for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada World Cup. So, backed by their fans at San Pedro Sula’s Francisco Morazán Stadium, Costa Rica played smart and steady against the group leader.
This wasn’t the night for flashy, fancy football.
What mattered was grabbing points however they could—whether that meant grinding out tackles or slowing the game down.
Honduras, on the other hand, was eager to use its home advantage to secure a win and move closer to qualifying. They were especially motivated, having a tough match against Haiti coming up on Monday, a key rival after beating Nicaragua 3-0.
The match turned into a tactical battle, almost like a chess game, with both teams prioritizing defense over attack.
They knew pushing too hard would be madness that could cost them dearly, so caution ruled the night.
As the hosts, Canada, Mexico, and the United States all automatically qualified
With Canada, the USA, and Mexico out of the prequalifying stages for the World Cup, Costa Rica suddenly finds itself in a much more intriguing position. Traditionally, those three North American giants have dominated the CONCACAF region, often overshadowing other teams with their depth, talent, and resources.
Now, with them out of the picture early, the door swings wide open for Costa Rica to step up as the region’s top contender.
Costa Rica has a solid history on the world stage, having qualified for multiple World Cups and even reaching the quarterfinals in 2014. Their experience, combined with a strong domestic league and a growing pool of players competing internationally, gives them a real shot at capitalizing on this rare opportunity.
The absence of the usual heavyweights reduces the competition for automatic qualification spots, but it also raises the stakes. Costa Rica will need to maintain consistency, avoid complacency, and handle the pressure of being seen as the team to beat.
Other teams in the region will be hungry, seeing a chance to upset the established order, so Costa Rica’s tactical discipline and mental toughness will be tested. If they can navigate this phase with focus and resilience, Costa Rica could not only make it to the World Cup but also position themselves as a dark horse capable of surprising on the global stage.
This moment might mark a shift in CONCACAF’s balance of power—one that Costa Rica is well-placed to take advantage of.
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