Young Costa Rica Squad Led by Ugalde Faces Colombia

A youthful Costa Rican national football team, with an average age of 24, is set to face Colombia in an exhibition match in Bogotá. The squad, which includes 11 players under 23 years old, is under the guidance of Argentine coach Fernando Batista. This match is part of a new project aimed at rebuilding the team after their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Batista, who took charge earlier this year, emphasized the team's focus on constructing a new playing style and fostering an intense, competitive spirit. "We are in a process of building a new project. We know we are going to face a World Cup team with a lot of work time," Batista stated. The team's long-term goal is to qualify for the 2030 World Cup.

The squad features eight players based abroad, including forward Manfred Ugalde of Russia's Spartak Moscow. Other notable international players include goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira (Casa Pía, Portugal), defender Jeyland Mitchell (Sturm Graz, Austria), defender Joseth Peraza (Zalaegerszegi, Hungary), midfielder Orlando Galo (Riga, Latvia), and winger Josimar Alcócer (Westerlo, Belgium). A significant absence from the roster is veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas, aged 39, who recently reached the final of the Mexican league with Pumas.

Batista also confirmed that three players, forwards Warren Madrigal and Kenneth Vargas, and midfielder Alejandro Bran, were excluded from the training camp due to disciplinary issues. Costa Rica's recent friendly matches in March resulted in a 2-2 draw against Jordan and a heavy 5-0 defeat to Iran.

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Estamos en un proceso de construcción de un proyecto nuevo. Sabemos que vamos a enfrentar a una selección mundialista con mucho tiempo de trabajo. Queremos construir la idea de juego y un equipo intenso y competitivo