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Costa Rica dismisses Fernando Batista as head coach after disappointing start

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 29, 2026, 1:11 AM

Last updated Sep 29, 2026

Costa Rica dismisses Fernando Batista as head coach after disappointing start

Summary

Fernando "Bocha" Batista has been sacked as head coach of Costa Rica just six months into his tenure, following poor performances in the CONCACAF Nations League. The Costa Rican football federation announced his dismissal after losses to Curacao and Haiti, with the team failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Last week, Costa Rica lost 4-3 to Curacao despite a 3-0 halftime lead, and then fell 2-0 to Haiti. As a result, former player Bryan Ruiz will take over as interim head coach while Costa Rica seeks a permanent replacement.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Fernando Batista was head coach for six months.
•Costa Rica lost to Curacao and Haiti in the Nations League.
•Costa Rica failed to escape group stages in previous editions.
•Bryan Ruiz appointed as interim head coach.
•Team reached World Cup quarter-finals in 2014.

Latest Updates

1:11 AMYahoo Sports — Batista sacked as Costa Rica coach after six months

What they're saying

"
Costa Rica's head coach Fernando "Bocha" Batista was dismissed Monday following the team's disastrous start to the CONCACAF Nations League, the country's football federation announced.The Central American nation failed to escape the group stage in the following two editions, and did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
— Yahoo Sports

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