Costa Rica defeated New Zealand 1-0 in the CONCACAF/​OFC playoff on TUE 14 JUN 2022 to qualify for the 2022 Men’s World Cup. They are the 32nd and final team to do so.

Joel CAMPBELL put the Ticos ahead just three minutes in, deftly playing in a square ball from Jewison BENNETTE that beat Kiwi keeper Oliver SAIL. New Zealand, however, fought back and nearly equalised in the 39th, only to see Chris WOOD’s goal disallowed for a foul after a video review. Another review in the second half resulted in a red card for Kosta BARBOROUSES for a hard challenge.

Costa Rica earn a place at the Men’s World Cup for the sixth time, including five of the last six tournaments. They will face Spain in Group E on WED 23 NOV 2022, followed by Japan on SUN 27 NOV 2022 and Germany on THU 01 DEC 2022.

Though the 32 teams at Qatar 2022 have been decided, one more qualifier remains to be played. Per a FIFA decision, the CONMEBOL group phase match between Brazil and Argentina will be replayed on THU 22 SEP 2022, even though both teams have already qualified. The match was begun on SUN 05 SEP 2021 but abandoned after five minutes when local authorities in São Paulo, SP intervened regarding Argentine players’ failure to adhere to applicable COVID-19 protocols. Both sides were subsequently issued fines by FIFA.