Costa Rica will face United States, Mexico in 2020 Olympics qualifying

The Costa Rican men’s national soccer team will face a difficult road to the 2020 Olympics.

La Sele was placed into a regional qualifying group alongside Mexico and the United States — typically the two strongest teams from the region — and the Dominican Republic. Group B contains Honduras, Canada, El Salvador and Haiti.

The top two teams from each group will advance to a knockout round in which the champion and runner-up earn CONCACAF’s two spots at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Costa Rica will open against the United States on March 20, face Mexico on March 23 and will close the group stage against the Dominican Republic on March 26. All matches will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“We know the quality of the selections that are there,” said Fedefutbol technical director Douglas Sequeira. “We cannot ignore the performance of Mexico, the United States and the Dominican Republic, but we are positive and trying to achieve the goal of going to Tokyo. It will be strong, but for everyone.” 

The 16-team Olympic men’s soccer tournament welcomes countries’ under-23 sides, but each federation can invite up to three overage players.

The Costa Rican women’s team has also reached the region’s final pre-Olympic tournament. It will face the United States, Panama and Haiti in a group stage that begins Jan. 28.

The 2020 Summer Olympics begin July 24.