Costa Rica may provide the clearest clue yet to Tuchel’s England team
09.06.26, 18:30 Updated 09.06.26, 18:56 3 Minute Read
Chris Eldergill
England complete their World Cup preparations in Orlando on Wednesday night against a Costa Rica side whose recent past belies their FIFA ranking. On paper, it is a step up from New Zealand. Costa Rica sits comfortably 31 places higher, and historically, have proved far more awkward opposition. Yet their failure to reach this summer’s tournament was defined inertia: four draws in six decisive qualifiers, just one win, a campaign that never quite found momentum when it mattered and faltered on a very damaging defeat against Scotland’s opening opponents Haiti.
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Chris Eldergill Former CNN International Sports Editor with extensive World Cup experience. Chris brings a broadcaster’s editorial discipline and the leadership of someone who has run news at major tournaments.