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How does Costa Rica become CONCACAF's No.1？

235 views · Published 4 April 2015 · 2:03 · Indexed 12 November 2026

Channel: New China TV · 2015 · News & Politics

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The national team of Costa Rica is ranked the 13th in the world by FIFA in March 2015, for the second time in a row. It's the highest ranking among all the North, Central American and Caribbean region. Here comes the question. How come a small country with only 5 million population stood the top of CONCACAF?
 
SOUNDBITE: Eduardo Lee, President of Costa Rica Football Federation
“Costa Rica is a purely footballing country. We have soccer talents, then we must provide the facilities to them.”
 
Costa Rica has a massive football population. According to Eduardo Lee, it provides Costa Rica a great football environment, and the federation simply needs to make things right and let them happen.  

SOUNDBITE: Eduardo Lee, President of Costa Rica Football Federation
“It is a country that 90 percent people likes football. I'm sure that 90 percent of this country likes football.”

In Costa Rica, football pitches are all over the country. Even in the most remote and poorest villages, you can find there are nice decent football grounds open to public for free.
 
SOUNDBITE: Eduardo Lee, President of Costa Rica Football Federation
“Football is part of this country's gene. I think the quality of player is improving but that's a matter of time.”

How can a small country surpass Mexico and the U.S. and became CONCACAF's No.1? Now the anwser is quite clear. A country with 90 percent of people who loves football and numerous free sccocer fields for them to practice in. 

SOUNDBITE: Eduardo Lee, President of Costa Rica Football Federation
“In the near future, at the level of the Senior Team, we hope it could be in the Top 10 in FIFA rankings.”

What do the ticos suppose to do to make it come true? Lee smiled, saying the only way is to win every game.

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