Costa Rica are the fourth qualifier from the North America region to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, needing to win an intercontinental playoff last summer over New Zealand.It looked bleak for Costa Rica early on in North American qualification, but they finished in spectacular fashion to secure the fourth spot for a berth into the intercontinental playoff. They emerged victorious over the Kiwis in June behind an early Joel Campbell goal.Unfortunately, Los DeVonta Smith Jersey Ticos must now navigate one of the most difficult draws of the entire World Cup, selected alongside two European powers and a strong Asian side in Group E. But they're not new to springing World Cup upsets after topping a group that featured England, Italy, and Uruguay in 2014.MORE: Manager Luis Fernando Suarez named his final squad on Thursday, November 3 and has opted for an eye toward the future. Nearly half his final World Cup roster is made up of players 25 years old or younger (11 of 26 total). But that also comes with some inexperience, as 11 members of the 26-man squad also have fewer than 10 international caps.Veterans Keylor Navas (35 years old), Kendall Waston (34), Celso Borges (34), Bryan Ruiz (37), and Joel Campbell (30) are all still there. In fact, the ex-Arsenal man Campbell is one of only three listed forwards on the final squad.Among the surprise omi sions were attacking midfielder Randall Leal (Nashville SC), wingers Alonso Martinez (Lommel SK) and Ariel La siter (Inter Miami), and right-back Cristian Gamboa (VfL Bochum). A younger backup 'keeper Patrick Sequeira was also preferred over Alajuelense veteran Leonel Moreira.In the case of Herediano'sOrlando Galo, the manager confirmed he would have been on the roster if not for following a positive doping test.Below Jerome Brown Jersey is the final 26-man squad:PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCapsGK18Esteban AlvaradoHerediano (CRC)3324GK1Keylor NavasPSG (FRA)35107GK23Patrick SequeiraCD Lugo (SPA)232DEF15Francisco CalvoKonyaspor (TUR)3075DEF6Oscar DuarteAl-Wehda (SAU)3370DEF4KeysherFullerHerediano (CRC)2829DEF16Carlos MartinezSan Carlos (CRC)235DEF22RonaldMatarritaFC Cincinnati (USA)2852DEF8Bryan OviedoReal Salt Lake (USA)3274DEF3Juan Pablo VargasMillonarios (COL)2711DEF19Kendall WastonSapri sa (CRC)3461DEF2Daniel ChaconColorado Rapids (USA)218MID20Brandon AguileraGuanacasteca (CRC)194MID9Jewison BennetteSunderland (ENG)187MID5Celso BorgesAlajuelense (CRC)34154MID25Anthony HernandezPuntarenas (CRC)212MID21Douglas LopezHerediano (CRC)242MID10Bryan RuizAlajuelense (CRC)37144MID14Youstin SalasSapri sa (CRC)263MID17Yeltsin TejedaHerediano (CRC)3073MID13Gerson TorresHerediano (CRC)2512MID24Roan WilsonGrecia (CRC)202MID26Alvaro ZamoraSapri sa (CRC)202FWD12Joel CampbellClub Leon (MEX)30118FWD7Anthony ContrerasHerediano (CRC)228FWD11Johan VenegasAlajuelense (CRC)3380WORLD CUP 2022 SELECTED SQUADS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Los Ticos are in their third straight World Cup and have made it to five of the last six editions. At this point the global audience will likely recognize a few of the names, including some of whom were part of the famous quarterfinal run in 2014.StarsThe undisputed international star of the Costa Rica squad is goalkeeperKeylor Navaswho is considered the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the CONCACAF Devonta Smith T Shirts (North American) region. Navas spent years as the Real Madrid starter, winning three Champions League titles. He is currently stuck behind Gigi Donnarumma at PSG and has struggled for playing time as he reaches the latter stages of his career.There are also two heavily experienced presences in the Costa Rica side who have enjoyed long careers at overseas clubs. Celso Borgesis one of the most experienced international players at the World Cup with 154 caps, spending several seasons at Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna before returning to Costa Rica.Bryan Ruiz, meanwhile, spent significant time at Dutch side Twente before a move to Fulham in the Premier League, finishing his lengthy European career at Portuguese side Sporting.Borges still contributes heavily at the international level, but Ruiz is now more of A.J. Brown Jersey a bench option. Yet the presence of both will be critical for a Costa Rica squad featuring a number of inexperienced players.StrengthsThis Costa Rica side is known for its physicality and ability to grind out results, starting with an astute back line and a talented group of defensive midfielders.Veteran Borges should be heavily involved in their World Cup journey at holding midfield, and behind him he'll have a wall of gritty defenders includingKendall Waston,Keysher Fuller, andOscar Duartewho could either rotate in a traditional four-back system, or all start in unison if they go with three at the back.Weakne sesThis year's World Cup comes at an inconvenient time in the development of this Costa Rica roster. They are stuck between having experienced players not yet finished with their careers, while the youngsters set to replace them are not yet established within the national team.Navas is still a top goalkeeper, but Ruiz, Borges, Duarte, and Waston have slowed with age, as have veteransBryan Oviedo,andJohan Venegas, who are all 32 years old or older, and former Arsenal youngsterJoel Campbellhas also begun to fade at 30.Promising youngsters such asJewison Bennette,Daniel Chacon,Brandon AguileraandCarlos Martinezare still as green, and while they show promising talent, it's been tough for the national team to fully integrate them while still producing positive results in a tight CONCACAF World Cup qualifying journey. Los Ticos have been drawn into Group E at the 2022 World Cup, a vicious collection of powerful opponents that leaves Costa Rica likely on the outside looking in barring multiple upset results.They open with Davion Taylor Jersey a match against tournament juggernauts Spain before matching up with Japan four days later in a do-or-die match for Los Ticos. Then, they finish with Germany likely needing a result to have a chance at reaching the knockout stage.World Cup Group E fixtures and match scheduleDate