In San José, Keylor Navas has returned to the Costa Rica set-up at a difficult moment for the national side, bringing one of the country’s most recognisable football figures back into camp for the next Concacaf Nations League dates.
The news from the club
The 39-year-old goalkeeper has been selected by Bryan Ruiz, who is overseeing Costa Rica on an interim basis following Fernando Bautista’s departure. Bautista left his post after defeats against Curaçao and Haiti, with Ruiz choosing to include Navas in his first squad announcement.
Navas had been away from the national team for almost a year. His most recent Costa Rica appearance came on 18 November 2025, when he played in the 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Honduras.
Arriving back in his home country, Navas described another international call-up as a blessing and said he hoped the team could enjoy the coming camp while finding a way forward. He also stressed how much it meant that the invitation had come from Ruiz, a friend whose plans he is pleased to join.
The goalkeeper said Costa Rica’s immediate task is to respond together after its recent setbacks. The situation is demanding, he acknowledged, but he expects the squad to work hard and give everything in training so that the next matches can point the team towards a better future.
Nations League itinerary
Costa Rica will now prepare for Concacaf Nations League matches against Nicaragua and Haiti. Navas’s return is part of Ruiz’s attempt to reset the group after the losses to Curaçao and Haiti and improve the team’s position in the regional competition.
For Navas, the call marks another chapter with the country he has represented through major international tournaments. Costa Rica will look to his experience as it seeks a steadier path through the forthcoming fixtures.
