Costa Rica Faces Nicaragua in Crucial World Cup Qualifier Match

San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica will host Nicaragua on October 13, 2025, for a pivotal match in Group C of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying rounds. The game is set for 9:55 PM ET at the Estadio Nacional, promising to be a thrilling encounter between two Central American rivals.

Both teams enter this match with differing motivations. Costa Rica, led by coach Miguel ‘El Piojo’ Herrera, seeks its first win of the qualification process after three consecutive draws, leaving them third in the group with three points. Despite being unbeaten, the team feels pressure to convert its possession in matches into goals.

‘This team has the quality to compete with anyone, but we need to be decisive. We can’t keep drawing,’ Herrera commented addressing his team’s need for a victory.

Nicaragua, under the direction of Marco ‘El Fantasma’ Figueroa, urgently needs points to remain in contention for a World Cup spot. With only one point from their previous matches, they are searching for their first victory after losing 3-0 to Haiti in their last outing.

‘As long as there are mathematical possibilities, we will fight until the end. This group has pride and wants to compete,’ said Figueroa as they aim to improve on their earlier 1-1 draw with Costa Rica in the opening round of the qualifiers.

The historical context favors Costa Rica, which has won 17 out of 20 encounters against Nicaragua, including all seven home games. However, both teams understand the significance of this match; a victory for Costa Rica could revive their campaign, while Nicaragua needs to win to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

The match is part of a broader qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. As the competition tightens, the outcome will be crucial in determining the potential playoff scenarios for both teams in their quest for the prestigious tournament.