This is Costa Rica's 3rd appearance in FIFA World Cup. The last two participations was in 1990 and 2002. They are playing in Group A along with Germany, Poland and Equador. The star players of the team are Gilberto Martinez, Walter Centano and Forward Paulo Wanchope.

From 1930 to 1934, Costa Rica did not enter in the preliminary rounds of FIFA World Cup. In 1938, they withdrew and between 1950 and 1954 again they did not enter. From 1958 to 1986 they were unable to qualify. However, in 1990 the team reached Round 2 of the tournament. In 1994 and 1998 they again failed to qualify and in 2002 they made it till Round 1.

The first international match for Costa Rica was against El Salvador with a win of 7-0. Their largest win was against Puerto Rico (12-0). The worst defeat of the team was in 1975 against Mexico (7-0).