San Jose, Nov 21 (EFE).- Mexican coach Miguel Herrera was dismissed as the head coach of Costa Rica on Thursday after failing to qualify the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decision was announced by the Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF).
«The FCRF informs that Miguel Herrera ceases to be the head coach of the Costa Rica National Team along with his technical staff as of this Thursday, November 20,» the federation stated in a brief communiqué.
The entity indicated that its Executive Committee will begin the process of analyzing candidates to lead the national team in the FIFA match windows of 2026.
Herrera, a Mexican, took the position in January, replacing Argentine Gustavo Alfaro, who resigned to take the helm of the Paraguay national team, which he successfully led to the 2026 World Cup.
Herrera failed in his mission to lead Costa Rica to its seventh World Cup in history and its fourth in a row. The team finished third in Group C of the Concacaf qualifiers with 7 points from six matches, winning only one game. They were behind Haiti (11 points), which secured direct qualification, and Honduras (9 points), which was also eliminated, along with group bottom-dweller Nicaragua (4 points).
Herrera's departure was imminent, as his contract was set to expire at the end of the 2026 World Cup cycle, but only upon successful qualification.
The local press and some Costa Rican football officials criticized the Mexican's work, blaming him for poor game analysis, deficient tactical setups, and especially for letting slip victories against Nicaragua (1-1) in Managua and at home against Haiti (3-3) when the team was leading in both matches.
