MIAMI, Florida – After making their first appearance on the biggest stage in 2015, Costa Rica is back in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, making their Australia/New Zealand 2023 debut against Spain on Friday July 21 at the Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, bringing back women’s football joy to Costa Rica.
Group C is the destiny for Las Ticas, who, besides facing Spain again as they did in 2015, they will also be tested against African side Zambia and 2015 WWC Champions Japan.
La Sele qualified for the Women’s World Cup by finishing fourth at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship in Monterrey, Mexico. They placed second in Group B, qualifying to Australia/New Zealand.
That was the second-best performance by Costa Rica at a CWC, their first being as runner-ups in 2014, when they qualified for their first ever World Cup. The players that made that first ever World Cup roster and have been selected again for this edition are eager to show their younger teammates what it means to wear the red jersey in a World Cup.
One of them is Raquel Rodriguez, who was part of the squad that traveled to Canada, scoring one goal in the three matches she played, making her the first Costa Rican player to score a goal in a Women’s World Cup. Rodriguez was once again a key player in the CWC, scoring a goal that helped them lock up that second-place finish in Group B.
Other players from that 2015 squad are Melissa Herrera and Karla Villalobos. Hererra played in all three games at Canada 2015, scoring a goal, while Villalobos also found the back of the net in three matches.
On the other side, one of the young players to watch will be Sheika Scott. The 16-year-old will be one of the youngest participants that heads Down Under after winning the Top Scorer Award at the 2023 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship with six goals. With this being her first World Cup, Scott will be ready to learn and help every time she puts the boots on.
With a legacy of players that have made history before them, La Sele will make this return to the biggest stage in women’s football in fearless fashion.
