San José has turned to one of its most recognisable football figures to begin another rebuild. Bryan Ruiz, the former Costa Rica captain and three-time World Cup player, has been appointed head coach of the national team with qualification for the 2030 World Cup set as the central target.
The 41-year-old takes charge after Costa Rica missed the 2026 finals, an outcome that prompted changes around the national-team structure. Ruiz had already been placed in temporary command for October’s international window and strengthened his case with consecutive Concacaf Nations League victories over Nicaragua and Haiti.
Those results preserved Costa Rica’s position in the Nations League and kept open a route into the preliminary stage of the 2027 Gold Cup. The federation has now made the appointment permanent, placing a former leader of the dressing room at the centre of a longer-term sporting project.
A captain returns from the touchline
In confirming the decision, the Costa Rican federation pointed to Ruiz’s years as a leading figure for the national side, including his long spell wearing the captain’s armband. It said he would bring his experience, leadership and knowledge of both Costa Rican and international football into his work from the bench.
Ruiz’s permanent role follows the departure of Argentine coach Fernando “Bocha” Batista. Costa Rica’s failure to reach the 2026 World Cup had occurred during the campaign led by Mexican coach Miguel “Piojo” Herrera, leaving the new manager with the task of building a side capable of returning to the global stage in 2030.
His coaching path began in the youth ranks at Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, the club where he also handled two Central American Cup matches in September. Support from players, familiarity with the domestic game and his October results were important elements in the federation’s decision to retain him.
November tests in Ecuador and Argentina
Ruiz will make his first appearance as Costa Rica’s full-time coach during the November international window. La Sele travel to Quito to face Ecuador on 13 November before meeting Argentina in Córdoba three days later.
The two friendlies will offer an early measure of the new cycle against South American opposition as Costa Rica begins preparation for the road to 2030.
His staff will include former internationals Christian Bolaños and Wílmer López as assistants, with ex-goalkeeper Wardy Alfaro also part of the coaching group.
As a player, Ruiz represented Alajuelense, Twente and Fulham among other clubs, while appearing for Costa Rica at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. His challenge now is to translate that international experience into a new generation for a country seeking to restore its place in major tournaments.
