Honduras vs Costa Rica
Miguel Herrera’s Costa Rica head to the Francisco Morazan Estadio Olimpico in Honduras on Friday, aiming to heap some pressure on their hosts in a crunch Group C clash.
A place at the World Cup 2026 finals is at stake, with one nation from each CONCACAF group guaranteed a spot at the North American showcase. And with two of six games played Reinaldo Rueda’s Honduras are in the box seat, with four points, and already two ahead of Los Ticos.
La Bicolor come into the game on the back of a 2-0 win over Nicaragua last time out while Costa Rica’s 3-3 draw with Haiti means they need a win in Honduras to take control of the group. Second place may qualify for an inter-continental play-off but neither nation wants to rely on that.
Talking Points
Honduras in the box seat
With the biggest and most powerful football nations all eying glory next summer, the World Cup 2026 betting odds won’t take much notice of the likes of Honduras, currently placed 65th in the FIFA World rankings, incidentally 18 places behind Costa Rica. But, if they make it through La Bicolor will have every right to be there; and they will do all they can over the next four rounds to book their place.
With a perfect set of World Cup 2026 results in the second round of the CONCACAF qualifiers, Honduras coasted through to the final round and they come into this crunch clash with four consecutive clean sheets. In Round Three La Bicolor drew 0-0 with Haiti and followed that up with a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua, as Romell Quioto and Alexy Vega scored second-half goals and keeper Edrick Menjvar picked up his customary clean sheet.
They are unbeaten at home in competition this year and Rueda will set his team up to frustrate, knowing that a draw will keep his men in control of their destiny.
Player to watch: Kevin Arriaga
With 38 caps since his international debut in a 2020 friendly against Nicaragua, defensive midfielder Kervin Arriaga is the sole representative of a big European league, plying his trade with Levante, newly promoted to La Liga Primera Division. The 27 year old star has scored four goals for Honduras, and at 6ft 3in he is a powerful presence in the middle of the park as well as being a goal threat at set pieces. Arriaga’s main role will be to protect the Honduras defence, break up play and launch attacks, but keep an eye on him when the dead-ball opportunities arise.
Costa Rica are chasing
Los Ticos matched Honduras at the second round stage, winning Group B with four wins from four, finishing the round with an 8-0 hammering of the Bahamas and then a rather more edgy 2-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago. And they struggled to carry momentum into the third round, drawing away to Nicaragua and then at home to Haiti.
Costa Rica are chasing a fourth successive qualification for the World Cup finals and they need to find the right gear again. But they won’t find it easy away to a nation which concedes very rarely, and they have only managed to score more than one goal on one of their last three matches on the road. Equally, Los Ticos are not easily beaten; they just need to turn draws into wins.
Player to watch: Kenneth Vargas
While legendary keeper and captain Keylor Navas has been the face of Costa Rican football for well over a decade, one of the men for the future is 23-year-old forward Kenneth Vargas. He’s been playing in Scotland with Heart of Midlothian, scoring 13 goals in 84 appearances for the Maroons in all competitions but, with fierce competition for places at Hearts, he has gone on loan to Herediano. Vargas made his international debut in 2023 and has scored two goals for Los Ticos, and says he has made his loan move with Costa Rica’s World Cup campaign foremost in his mind.
The loan deal lasts until January, by which time Vargas hopes the job will be done.
History
This game is a million miles away from the glittering world of Champions League football, which showcases the best talent on the planet. But while there are very few Honduran or Costa Rican players operating in Europe’s top leagues, it remains a huge clash in CONCACAF. And both nations have plenty of World Cup experience.
Honduras have been to the finals three times, the last occasion in 2014, but they are yet to escape the group stages; meanwhile, Los Ticos have been at the World Cup finals six times and were quarter finalists in 2014.
Costa Rica have won their last two meetings with Honduras and haven’t lost away in this fixture since 2013.
In terms of recent form, Honduras have won seven, drawn two and lost three games in 2025, while Costa Rica have won six, drawn four and lost two.
Betting Tip
With the draw at SBOTOP odds of 3.39 and Honduras at 3.43 to win, all three results are well in play. But Los Ticos have history on their side and a bigger incentive… so I’m edging towards the visitors.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
