| Outright Odds: 500/1 | | | | Rica missed out on the knockout stages in the 2002 |
| Group A Winners: 16/1 | | | | World Cup to Turkey due to their superior goal |
| Costa Rica are living proof that when it comes to | | | | difference. Wanchope, his country's all-time top scorer |
| football, size does not matter. The Ticos have | | | | with 43 goals in 67 international matches will retire |
| generally been mainstays in the World Cup finals | | | | after the tournament and is looking for one final hurrah |
| despite having country 40 times smaller than Mexico | | | | before hanging up his boots for good. |
| and a population of just four million. The Ticos eased to | | | | Guimaraes will be keen to repeat the success of the |
| third place in their qualifying group and will aim to | | | | 1990 team which reached the second round on their |
| compete against the "bigger" sides in this year's Finals. | | | | debut following victories over Sweden and Scotland. |
| Despite their overall comfortable qualification, Costa | | | | With Group A opposition in Poland and Ecuador, there |
| Rica almost fell at the first hurdle, a qualifying match | | | | is the possibility of an upset on the cards. |
| against Cuba in which they scraped through on away | | | | If they can nick a result or two like they did back in the |
| goals. They re-appointed former coach Alexandre | | | | 2002 World Cup, a victory over China and draw with |
| Guimaraes who guided them to the last World Cup | | | | Turkey, then qualification is not beyond them. However, |
| and he has turned the team around. | | | | looking back to the heavy 5-2 group stage defeat to |
| Costa Rica sent out a warning, but ultimately revealed | | | | Brazil, if the defence does not improve, a gallant but |
| their main weakness in a recent friendly against former | | | | narrow defeat may be on the horizon. |
| champions France. They raced into a two goal lead in | | | | Recommended Bet: |
| Martinique but eventually lost the match 3-2. Their | | | | You could not bet confidently on Costa Rica winning or |
| weak defence will be their main downfall and 14 goals | | | | even qualifying from the group stage to emulate their |
| conceded in 10 qualifiers, including five against | | | | exploits in the 1990 World Cup. However, there may |
| Honduras and three at Guatemala does not bode well | | | | be some value in the individual match betting. |
| for more seasoned opposition. | | | | If Germany start the tournament slowly, Costa Rica |
| However, where their strengths lie is in attack. Winston | | | | could catch them cold in the opening fixture and snatch |
| Parks, Walter Centeno and veteran striker Paulo | | | | a point. There could be a possible upset in their second |
| Wanchope means the side will always be able to | | | | match against Ecuador who are themselves no great |
| create and score goals but there is always the danger | | | | success on the big stage. |
| they may concede them in greater numbers. Costa | | | | |