Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Honduras will be aiming to make amends for a heavy 4-1 loss to USA when they take on Costa Rica at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano. Los Catrachos are desperate to record their first win of the process, but they face a difficult task in Friday’s qualifier. Both Antony Lozano and Jonathan Rubio have been left out of the squad, while Denil Maldonado returns to contention.
Costa Rica are eyeing their first group win as well, and seeing that both sides will adopt an attack-minded approach in Friday’s clash, we believe that there is a big value in betting on both teams to score. The likes of David Guzman, Alonso Martinez, and Manfred Ugalde failed to make the cut this time out, with Youstin Salas of Municipal Grecia stepping up. Anyhow, away win should be considered as Costa Rica key players Joel Campbell, Bryan Ruiz, and Celso Borges will start against Honduras.
Highlighted Player (Andy Najar):
Andy Najar is a Honduras footballer who plays for both Anderlecht and the Honduras national team. Najar is a product of D.C. United’s youth academy and it has to be noted that he was named in the USSF Development Academy starting XI in 2009. The Honduras player made his senior debut for D.C. United on March 27, 2010 in a game against Kansas City Wizards.
Andy Najar scored his first professional goal one month later in a match against Dallas. Najar impressed in the 2010 MLS season and, as a result, he received the Rookie of the Year award. Speaking of his international career, Andy Najar made his Honduras debut on September 3, 2011, coming as a substitute in a friendly game against Colombia.
The right-footed winger (full-back) represented Honduras at the 2012 Olympics and he scored his first goal for los Catrachos against Costa Rica in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup knockout stages. Andy Najar was born on March 16, 1993 in Choluteca.
Highlighted Team (Costa Rica):
Los Ticos are administered by the Costa Rican Football Federation and are members of the CONCACAF confederation competing at the international stage since 1921, although it was not until 1927 that they had become the FIFA members.
Costa Rica is the most successful national football team in the history of Central America with eight championships and their decorated reputation was upheld in 2014 when the current Central American champions made an imposing impression during the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Having reached the quarter-finals, Costa Ricans continue to be a thorn in the side for a many bigger soccer nations.
Alvaro Saborio is the most-capped member of the current team captained by Bryan Ruiz, but the most prominent star of the squad is definitely Real Madrid goalkeeper and 2016 Champions League winner Keylor Navas. Arsenal forward Joel Campbell is also a notable player whose 2014 FIFA World Cup performances have been nothing short of impressive.