Costa Rica

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Costa Rica secured World Cup qualification with two games to spare, winning all their home games. However, it has been 24 years since they have reached the knock-out stages.
Arguably the most talented Costa Rica squad ever assembled for a World Cup, they can consider themselves unlucky to have been drawn in Group D. There's a smattering of talent within the squad but heads could drop if they go a goal down.
It is a second spell in charge for Colombian Jorge Luis Pinto, who was fired during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. He has given Costa Rica an identity, given them confidence and made them difficult to break down.