MIAMI – The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 kicks off on Monday with Costa Rica taking on the United Arab Emirates in Group C on Monday at Aspire Zone - Pitch 8 in Doha, Qatar.
Managed by Rándall Row, Costa Rica returns to the tournament for its 11th overall participation. The nation’s best ever finish in the U-17 World Cup came as quarterfinalists on four occasions, last doing so at the 2015 edition.
Isaac Badilla headlines the 21-man squad called up by row. Badilla was a Best XI selection in the 2025 Concacaf U-17 Men's Qualifiers, contributing five goals and one assist.
FACT
● Of the Concacaf teams qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Costa Rica was the one that engaged in the most pressing actions, forcing the opponent to lose possession before three passes in their own half, with a total of 61 (tied with Canada and the United States) during the 2025 Concacaf U-17 Championship.
● Costa Rica was the team with the most set-piece goals during the 2025 Concacaf U-17 Championship. The Ticos scored 43% of their goals this way (9/21): four from corners, one from a direct free kick, two from free kicks, and two from penalties.
● Brayan Calderón was the player who scored the most headers during the 2025 Concacaf U-17 Championship, with two goals (tied with Dayvi Busby of Curaçao and Greg Williams of Antigua and Barbuda). Only the United States and Mexico (4) have scored more goals of this type in the competition than Costa Rica (3).
