The Copa América is South America's major tournament in senior men's football and determines the continental champion. Until 1967, the tournament was known as South American Championship. It is the oldest continental championship in the world.
Costa Rica are not members of the South American football confederation CONMEBOL. But because CONMEBOL only has ten member associations, guest nations have regularly been invited since 1993. Costa Rica have competed in the Copa América five times, and reached the quarter-finals twice.
On four occasions, they have been directly invited. The Copa América Centenario in 2016 was a collaboration of the CONCACAF and the CONMEBOL and Costa Rica qualified by virtue of winning the 2014 Copa Centroamericana. They again qualified for the 2024 tournament via the qualifying play-offs.
In their home confederation, the North American CONCACAF, Costa Rica have won three titles (1963, 1969 and 1989).
Record at the Copa América
Copa América recordYearRoundPositionPldWD*LGFGA 1997Group stage10th3012210 2001Quarter-finals5th421173 2004Quarter-finals8th410338 2011Group stage9th310224 2016Group stage10th311136 2024Group stage10th311124TotalQuarter-finals6/132064101935 * Draws include matches decided on penalties.
Match overview TournamentRoundOpponentScoreVenue 1997Group stage0–5Santa Cruz1–41–1 2001Group stage1–0Medellín1–14–0Quarter-finals1–2Armenia 2004Group stage0–1Arequipa1–42–1TacnaQuarter-finals0–2Trujillo 2011Group stage0–1Jujuy2–00–3Córdoba 2016Group stage0–0Orlando0–4Chicago3–2Houston 2024Group stage0–0Inglewood0–3Glendale2–1Austin
Squads
Record players RankPlayerMatchesTournaments1Rónald Gómez91997, 2001 and 2004Joel Campbell92011, 2016 and 20243Steven Bryce82001 and 2004Walter Centeno82001 and 2004Luis Marín82001 and 2004Francisco Calvo82011, 2016 and 20247Mauricio Solís71997 and 2001Mauricio Wright71997 and 20049Jhonny Acosta62011 and 201610Six players5
Top goalscorers
RankPlayerGoalsTournaments1Paulo Wanchope520012Mauricio Wright21997 and 20043Hernán Medford11997Steven Bryce12001Rolando Fonseca12001Andy Herron12004Luis Marín12004Joel Campbell12011Josué Martínez12011Celso Borges12016Johan Venegas12016Josimar Alcócer12024Francisco Calvo12024
See also Costa Rica at the CONCACAF Gold Cup Costa Rica at the FIFA World Cup
References
External links RSSSF archives and results Soccerway database