No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica schedules two October soccer friendlies against Panama

Costa Rica schedules two October soccer friendlies against Panama

The Costa Rica men’s national soccer team will return to action with two matches against Panama, the Costa Rica Football Federation (Fedefútbol) announced.

La Sele will host both matches at Estadio Nacional in La Sabana, San José. The first is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, with a rematch on Tuesday, October 13. Kickoffs will be at 8 p.m.

The news comes one day after Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, a local club, announced that 11 of its players had tested positive for the coronavirus — including Bryan Ruiz, who captained Costa Rica during the 2018 World Cup.

Positive tests in Costa Rica’s domestic league, the short-notice scheduling and the difficulties of international travel during the pandemic will limit the available player pool for La Sele.

“From the beginning, we have insisted in guaranteeing the safety of people involved in this sport, with clear sanitary protocols to minimize risk,” said Rodolfo Villalobos, Fedefútbol’s president.

“We thank the Panamanian Federation and the government for allowing us to give fans that possibility to watch their national team.”

Both matches will be played without in-person attendance.

La Sele hasn’t played since a February 1 friendly against the United States. The CONCACAF Nations League semifinals and final, scheduled for earlier this year, were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Costa Rica also backed out of a planned friendly on September 30 against Mexico when the team’s travel protocols weren’t approved.

The friendlies against Panama will help Costa Rica prepare for upcoming competitive matches, including the Nations League, the Gold Cup and 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifying.

Trending Now

US and Panama Begin Joint Exercises to Protect Panama Canal

US forces teamed up with Panamanian police for fresh military drills focused on safeguarding the Panama Canal, starting amid ongoing debates about foreign influence...

Exiled NGO Slams Bukele’s Rule as Repeat of Authoritarian Past

Salvadorans deserve “something better” than living between “gangs or dictatorship,” said Noah Bullock, director of the influential NGO Cristosal, in an interview. On Thursday,...

Costa Rica Reports Surge in Human Trafficking Cases

The General Directorate of Immigration (DGME) has reported 36 confirmed victims of human trafficking for commercial or sexual purposes in Costa Rica during the...

Costa Rican Economists Raise Alarm Over U.S. Cash Transfer Tax

In 2026, the U.S. government will impose a 1% tax on cash remittances sent from the United States to Latin America. Electronic transfers will...

Dominical to Quepos: The Costa Rican Road That Took 30 Years to Finish

The original Pan-American Highway heading south from San José once took a dramatic and daunting route. It passed through the old capital of Cartago...

Costa Rican Lottery Official Investigated in Money Laundering Case

Another money laundering case has shaken Costa Rica. Following a series of raids that dismantled a laundering network operating through legal and illegal lottery...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica