Bryan Ruiz will coach Costa Rica’s national soccer team for the first time tonight when La Sele visits Nicaragua in a Concacaf Nations League match that could decide whether Costa Rica stays in the competition’s top tier. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. Costa Rica time (10 p.m. ET) at Nicaragua’s National Stadium in Managua.
Why it matters: Costa Rica's performance in this match is critically important as the team looks to avoid relegation to League B. A win against Nicaragua is necessary after two disappointing losses.
Costa Rica opened its League A, Group A campaign with a 4-3 home loss to Curaçao and a 2-0 defeat to Haiti, leaving it without a point after two matches.
The team sits fifth in the group, ahead of only Nicaragua, and behind Curaçao, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago.
A victory tonight and another against Haiti at home on October 4 are mandatory for Costa Rica to keep its hopes alive.
Driving the news: Bryan Ruiz, a Costa Rican soccer legend and former captain, takes over as interim head coach after the dismissal of Fernando “Bocha” Batista. Batista left the position after a seven-month tenure without a win.
Ruiz’s appointment comes at a challenging time for the national team, which has struggled to find form in recent matches.
He made four changes to Batista’s last squad, including recalling goalkeeper Keylor Navas and midfielder Celso Borges.
Ruiz named Wílmer López and Edson Soto as his assistants, indicating a shift in strategy.
The big picture: This match marks a turning point for Costa Rica as it looks to rebuild confidence and performance under new leadership. The historical rivalry with Nicaragua adds extra pressure.
Tonight’s match is the first meeting between Costa Rica and Nicaragua in the Nations League.
In their last encounter during World Cup qualifying, the teams played to a 1-1 draw in Nicaragua.
Analysts note that Ruiz had limited time to implement tactical changes, having led only four training sessions before the match.
What they're saying: Both players and coaches have expressed optimism about the upcoming match.
Ruiz stated he hadn’t been actively seeking the national team job, emphasizing that he spent four years preparing for coaching roles.
Navas, Costa Rica's legendary goalkeeper, described Ruiz’s appointment as a good opportunity, underscoring the bond they share from their time together on the national team.
“I spoke with Keylor [Navas] and asked, ‘You haven’t retired from the national team, right?’ He said no. I said, ‘Are you ready to be in the national team?’ He said, ‘If you want me there, I’ll be there,'” Ruiz recounted.
By the numbers: The stakes are high for Costa Rica as they look to turn around their fortunes.
La Sele has dropped six places to 57th in FIFA’s live ranking after the two losses.
Since June 2025, Costa Rica has not won two consecutive matches, highlighting their struggle in recent competitions.
With both teams currently sitting at 0 points in Group A, the match is a must-win for both to avoid relegation.
What's next: Following tonight's match, Costa Rica faces Haiti at home on October 4, which will be equally important for their chances of avoiding relegation.
The outcome of tonight's match will significantly influence the team's morale and strategy moving forward.
Fans will follow closely closely as Ruiz attempts to reinvigorate the squad and restore pride in the national jersey.
The match will be broadcast in the United States on FS2, FOX One, ViX, Fubo Sports, and other platforms, ensuring widespread access for supporters.