England vs Costa Rica Betting Pick | International

International

2026-06-10 - England vs Costa Rica

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

England v Costa Rica
Football: International Friendly
Venue : Orlando City Stadium, Florida
Wednesday 10th June 2026 - Kick Off 4pm
9pm (British Time)

Preview

Twelve years ago, England and Costa Rica were placed in the same World Cup Group at the tournament hosted by Brazil- they also had Italy and Uruguay for company.

It was a high point for Costa Rica who not only surprisingly progressed through the Group, but who had their most memorable World Cup campaign that concluded in a Quarter Final defeat. Back to back Group Stage exits in 2018 and 2022 meant Costa Rica were perhaps in a more familiar spot, but missing out on the tournament being hosted in North America this summer is a massive blow.

Finishing third behind Haiti and Honduras in the final World Cup Qualifying Group is a real disappointment for Costa Rica, who have travelled to Orlando for this international friendly. Quarter Final defeats in recent Gold Cup and Nations League outings suggests Costa Rica have slipped from previous levels and there will be plenty of soul searching for them to get back on track when the 2030 World Cup Finals come around.

They have won 1 of the last 11 games in all competitions and Costa Rica have drawn with Jordan before heavy defeats to Iran and Colombia in international friendly settings since failing to Qualify for the World Cup Finals. Costa Rica have conceded at least two goals in each of those fixtures and they will hope that the stronger experience in these conditions may at least level up the playing field.

Back when Costa Rica were having a very successful World Cup in 2014, England embarrassingly finished bottom of the Group and two years later were beaten by Iceland in the Euro 2016 tournament. That sparked the arrival of Gareth Southgate, bar one game under Sam Allardyce, and England have enjoyed successes over the last decade, even if fans have not always been convinced.

Thomas Tuchel will once again utilise his squad as he looks to help build up fitness ahead of the World Cup opener next week, but he will also be looking for a bit more conviction than shown in the 1-0 win over New Zealand. That can be shown in the final third as England try and head into the competitive football behind back to back friendly wins.

In that 2014 Group Stage at the World Cup Finals, England and Costa Rica drew 0-0 in what was a dead rubber for both teams.

More recently, England beat Costa Rica 2-0 in an international friendly at home just days before the start of the 2018 World Cup Finals, which ended with a Semi Final defeat to Croatia.

Prediction

This is likely going to be another game in which the changes are rung throughout the fixture.

It may mean another inconsistent England performance, but they can match the victory over New Zealand with another clean sheet against a disappointed Costa Rica who will still be wondering how they are missing out on the World Cup for the first time in sixteen years.