Mexico’s iconic head coach from 2014 World Cup Miguel Herrera to lead Costa Rica

Former Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has been appointed as Costa Rica's head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the country's soccer federation (FCRF) said in a statement.

The 56-year-old Herrera, a former defender who coached Mexico to the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup and a CONCACAF Gold Cup title in 2015, replaced Gustavo Alfaro who left in August to coach Paraguay.

Miguel Herrera Costa Rica manager

Le damos la bienvenida a Miguel Herrera, nuevo entrenador de la Selección de Costa Rica ⚽️

¡Muchos éxitos profe! #FCRF #LaSele pic.twitter.com/W39bevqtxm

— FCRF (@fedefutbolcrc) January 7, 2025

Former Mexico manager, Miguel ‘Piojo’ Herrera, has been officially presented as the new head coach of the Costa Rica National Team.

[@fedefutbolcrc] pic.twitter.com/6IEBUVCVa8

— All Fútbol MX (@AllFutbolMX) January 8, 2025

Claudio Vivas, who had taken over as Costa Rica's interim manager, was sacked in November following the country's exit from the CONCACAF Nations League's quarter-finals.

Costa Rica are top of Group B in the second round of North America's World Cup qualifiers. They face Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago in June as they bid to book a fourth World Cup finals appearance in a row.

(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)