Miguel 'Piojo' Herrera, who formerly coached the Mexican National Team and won a Copa Oro, now leads the Costa Rican squad and has stirred up discussions regarding the status of the two teams within Concacaf. Notably, Herrera emphasized in recent comments that he sees Costa Rica as the superior side compared to Mexico, particularly in the context of their World Cup performances.
Since his appointment as the new head coach for Costa Rica on January 7, 2025, Herrera has made it clear that one of his primary objectives is to secure a berth in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will take place in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This is a considerable challenge, especially in light of Costa Rica's mixed recent history at major tournaments.
Under Herrera's guidance, Costa Rica seeks to enhance its profile in international football. During his tenure with Mexico, Herrera achieved noteworthy success, including winning the 2015 Copa Oro and guiding the team to the Round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup, where they were eliminated by the Netherlands during a controversial match.
In a bold statement, Herrera asserted, “I wouldn’t place Costa Rica in third position as a Concacaf selection; for me, they are an extraordinary team. Mexico reached the fifth match playing in Mexico, but outside their territory, Costa Rica is the best and is ranked higher.” His remarks challenge the common view that positions Mexico as the top team in the region.
Despite Costa Rica's recent struggles at the global stage, marked by disappointing outcomes in the 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar World Cups, it is the 2014 Brazil World Cup performance that still reverberates in memories of fans. Back then, the Ticos made headlines by advancing from a group that included heavyweights England, Uruguay, and Italy, eventually reaching the quarterfinals after overcoming Greece, only to fall to the Dutch in a penalty shootout.
In juxtaposition, Herrera pointed out that while Mexico celebrated their first Nations League title recently, defeating Panama at the SoFi Stadium, he felt conflicted. Happy for Mexico’s success, he echoed the sentiment of disappointment that Costa Rica was unable to participate in such important competitions, stating, “Content because Mexico won, I’m Mexican but upset because Costa Rica isn’t there.”
Looking ahead, Herrera is focused on qualifying Costa Rica not only for the World Cup but also for the Copa Oro, where they've made a strong start, defeating Belize 7-0 in the first leg of their ongoing qualifiers. This impressive performance sends a strong message about the potential of Herrera's squad.
Within the conversation around rankings and reputations, Herrera reinforced his belief that Costa Rica is deserving of the respect typically afforded to top competitors. He expressed, “To say that they are in third position is far from the reality. This team was close to defeating Panama.” His faith in the team’s talent portrays them not just as an underdog but as a serious competitor in the regional landscape.
Many fans and analysts have taken note of Herrera's confidence in his current team, and there's a palpable excitement building in Costa Rica as they look towards the future. With Herrera at the helm, the potential to reshape Costa Rica's football destiny seems within reach, given his extensive experience and past success.
His prior accomplishments, which also include two Liga MX championships, a Campeón de Campeones, and a Copa MX during his time coaching America, lend credibility to his aspirations as he embarks on this journey.
However, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Costa Rica must navigate tough competition in the qualifiers and also prove their merit on the world stage in larger tournaments. Herrera acknowledges this reality but remains optimistic about their prospects, driven by a collective ambition to rise through the ranks.
As the discussions continue about the relative strengths of Mexico and Costa Rica, Herrera stands firm on his position. His determination to prove Costa Rica's worth on the world stage embodies the spirit of the nation's footballing ambitions and the aspirations shared by fans. With the journey ahead marked by promise, the footballing community will be watching closely as Herrera seeks to guide Costa Rica into a new era of success.
