Costa Rica dismisses Fernando Batista; Bryan Ruiz named interim coach

The Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF) has dismissed Argentine coach Fernando Batista following a series of poor results during his seven-month tenure. Batista leaves after managing only six matches, recording five losses and one draw, including recent defeats against Curacao and Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League.

Bryan Ruiz, a legendary former captain of the national team, has been appointed as the interim head coach. Ruiz is tasked with leading the squad through the final group stage matches of the Nations League against Nicaragua and Haiti. His primary objective is to prevent the team from being relegated to League B and to maintain a path toward the 2027 Gold Cup.

To bolster the squad during this critical period, Ruiz has recalled veteran players Keylor Navas and Celso Borges, along with defender Juan Pablo Vargas. The team faces significant pressure to recover form as they aim for long-term stability leading toward the 2030 World Cup cycle.