Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Spain
Match Time & Date:
23/11/2022
17:00
Prediction: 3-0
Costa Rica
Spain take on Costa Rica at Al Thumama Stadium in the opening match of their 2022 World Cup campaign. La Roja are seen as favourites to win Group E, but they will have to prove their worth on the field. All Sergio Ramos, David De Gea, and Thiago Alcantara have been left out of the Spain squad, but Luis Enrique still has a number of high-profile players to choose from.
Experienced forward Alvaro Morata is widely expected to lead the line for the Spaniards. Los Ticos, on the other hand, continue to rely on former Arsenal striker Joel Campbell, with veteran Bryan Ruiz making the cut as well. PSG shoot-stopper Keylor Navas should start in goal. Anyhow, we are tempted to put our money on Spain, who outclassed Costa Rica 5-0 in their last meeting on the international stage.
Highlighted Player (Jordi Alba):
Jordi Alba is yet another product of Barcelona’s youth academy La Masia. The pacey full back, though, started playing for Valencia at senior level and after making 74 league appearances for los Che he returned to Barcelona in 2012.
He signed a five-year deal with Barca on 28 June, 2012 and he made his debut for the Catalan giants on 19 August in a 5-1 win over Real Sociedad. Alba won his third La Liga title with Barca in 2016 and it has to be noted that he participated in a 3-1 win over Juventus in the 2014/2015 Champions League final. The left-footed defender made his Spain debut on 11 October, 2011 and one year later he won the European Championship trophy with la Furia Roja.
He scored in the final against Italy. Jordi Alba has four caps for Spain U21 team and he played for Catalonia as well. The left back was born in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat on 21 March, 1989.
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.
Man City 
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
Southampton 
West Ham 
