Costa Rica hosts Curaçao in 2026–27 Nations League opener

Costa Rica hosts Curaçao on September 24, 2026, in the opening match of the 2026–27 CONCACAF Nations League League A. The match, played at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá in San José at 8:00 PM local time, marks Curaçao's debut in League A following the team's 2026 World Cup participation. Broadcast coverage spans multiple platforms including FOX Sports 2, TUDN, Fubo, and Repretel Canal 6.

Quick Facts

CONCACAF Nations League League A group stage opening match
Costa Rica's fourth consecutive Nations League campaign
Curaçao's debut in Nations League League A
Curaçao won League B in 2024–25 season to earn promotion
Curaçao competed in 2026 FIFA World Cup without recording a victory

Costa Rica vs Curacao | Concacaf Nations League 2026/27
Sports Talharians · YouTube
🇩🇴 RÉPUBLIQUE DOMINICAINE 🇳🇮 NICARAGUA : PRÉSENTATION DU MATCH ⚽ | CONCACAF Nations League
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Costa Rica will face Curaçao on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá in San José in the opening match of the 2026–27 CONCACAF Nations League League A group stage. The match kicks off at 8:00 PM local time (10:00 PM ET). Costa Rica enters the competition for its fourth consecutive Nations League campaign, while Curaçao makes its debut in League A after winning its League B group in the 2024–25 season.

Costa Rica, managed by Fernando Batista, reached the quarterfinals in the previous Nations League edition and is fielding a squad that includes 13 players aged 23 or younger as the federation rebuilds following the team's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Notably absent are Spartak Moscow forward Manfred Ugalde and defender Shawn Johnson, who is sidelined by injury. Midfielder Orlando Galo is included despite dealing with a leg injury.

Curaçao, managed by Dick Advocaat, recently completed its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026, where the team did not record a victory. The squad includes three potential debutants: Kiyani Zeggen, Nigel Thomas, and Kyano Penso. Goalkeeper Eloy Room, who gained prominence during the World Cup campaign, is expected to start at age 37. The teams last met competitively in 2019, with Costa Rica winning their most recent head-to-head encounter 2–1 in a previous Nations League fixture.

The match is part of a four-team group stage alongside Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. Costa Rica's opening fixtures include matches against Curaçao, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Haiti again, providing limited room for a slow start under Batista's new cycle.

Broadcast coverage in the United States includes FOX Sports 2, TUDN USA, Fubo, ViX, TUDN.com, the TUDN App, FOX One, and Fox YouTube. In Costa Rica, Repretel Canal 6 (including HD and digital variants), Teletica, FOX, and Fox+ will carry the match. Fubo is offering a five-day free trial for new subscribers. Additional coverage in Curaçao includes Direct 13, Rush Sports, the CONCACAF App, and the CONCACAF YouTube Channel.

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#soccer #Costa Rica #Fernando Batista #Concacaf Nations League #football #League A #Curaçao #2026-27 season #Group stage #Dick Advocaat

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Why This Matters

Costa Rica begins its fourth consecutive Nations League campaign after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with a squad weighted toward players under 24 as part of a federation rebuild. Curaçao makes its debut in League A following promotion and its maiden World Cup participation. The match outcome will set both teams' trajectory in a compact four-team group stage where early results directly affect knockout advancement. Broadcast coverage spans eight platforms across North America and the Caribbean, indicating significant regional audience interest in competitive CONCACAF football.

Timeline & Sources

Jan 1, 2026

Wire

Costa Rica fails to qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Sep 24, 2026

Wire

Costa Rica vs Curaçao match kickoff at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá (8:00 PM local time)

Sep 25, 2026

Wire

Costa Rica vs. Curaçao match kicks off at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá in San José (8:00 PM local time)

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