Colombia is set to host Costa Rica for an international friendly Monday night in Bogotá as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
Los Cafeteros find themselves in Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with their opening showdown against the White Wolves scheduled for June 17.
Before 2014 Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez and his squad begin their quest in North America, they must first navigate this tune-up match against a rebuilding Los Ticos side.
Costa Rica is missing the Cup draw for the first time since 2010, remaining on the sidelines for this summer’s edition.
Colombia vs. Costa Rica prediction, odds
While Colombia secured its spot by finishing third with a 7-4-7 record in 18 CONMEBOL qualifying matches, it has struggled lately, suffering consecutive friendly losses to Croatia and France in March.
This upcoming fixture offers a prime chance for Los Cafeteros to regain their footing, albeit at the expense of Fernando Batista’s rebuilding and struggling side.
Batista has faced a challenging start and is still seeking his first victory as a manager, following a 2-2 draw against Jordan in his debut.
Costa Rica’s recent 5-0 drubbing by Iran exposed glaring defensive holes that James Rodriguez, Luis Suarez and Luis Diaz are poised to exploit.
Suarez, who has been a member of the national team since his 2020 debut, arrives after a prolific 36-goal campaign in Portugal, where his elite burst and box presence made him a constant threat.
Meanwhile, Diaz is a true menace in transition, coming off a stellar 26-goal season with Bayern Munich that highlighted his spatial awareness.
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Nestor Lorenzo’s squad has historically dominated this matchup, winning nine of their last 10 against Costa Rica, and all signs point toward that trend continuing.
Given Los Ticos’ lack of spark and the anticipated high-energy home support expected in Bogotá, a lopsided Colombian victory appears to be on the horizon.
The Plays: Colombia to win halftime and fulltime (-188, bet365) | Luis Diaz anytime goalscorer (-130, BetMGM)
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