Costa Rica Welcomes Nicaragua for Pivotal Showdown

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Qualifiers heat up as Costa Rica prepares to host Nicaragua in a crucial match. The game will take place on Monday at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, located in the capital city of San José.

Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua: Match Preview

Costa Rica enters this match following a 0-0 draw against Honduras. Currently, they rank third in Group C, accumulating three points from three draws. The national team, known as Los Ticos, aims to extend their impressive record against Nicaragua. They have won seven consecutive matches at home against this rival.

Current Group C Standings

• Costa Rica: 3 points (3 draws)
• Nicaragua: 1 point (1 draw, 2 losses)

Nicaragua, on the other hand, is looking to recover after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Haiti. They currently sit fourth in Group C and are eager to improve their standing.

Head-to-Head History

This matchup will mark the second encounter between Costa Rica and Nicaragua in the current Final Round, following a 1-1 stalemate on September 5, 2025. Historically, Costa Rica dominates the rivalry with an impressive record:

Overall Record

The last match in San José occurred on June 16, 2019, during the Gold Cup, where Costa Rica triumphed with a 4-0 victory. Goals were scored by Bryan Oviedo, Celso Borges, Elías Aguilar, and Allan Cruz.

Key Streaks to Note

• Costa Rica is unbeaten in 15 home qualifiers against Central American teams (12 wins, 3 draws).
• Their last home defeat to a Central American side in World Cup Qualifiers occurred over 21 years ago, on August 18, 2004.
• Nicaragua has played eight away matches in Central America for World Cup Qualifying, with a record of 1 win and 7 losses.

The upcoming match is critical for both teams as they strive for points in this competitive qualifying round. Costa Rica hopes to maintain its strong home performance, while Nicaragua seeks to turn its fortunes around.