Costa Rica’s national team is attempting to break a lengthy winless streak against Haiti in official competitions. According to reporting from La Nación, the Costa Rican side has not defeated Haiti in an official match since September 2, 2016, when it won 1-0 in 2018 World Cup qualifying. That goal came from Randall Azofeifa in the 71st minute at Haiti’s Sylvio Cator Stadium in Port-au-Prince, with the team then managed by Óscar Ramírez.
From that 2016 victory, only three players remain in the current Costa Rican squad: Celso Borges, Rónald Matarrita, and Bryan Ruiz. Notably, Ruiz played in that 2016 match and now serves as Costa Rica’s head coach more than 10 years later.
Since that win, Costa Rica has gone six consecutive official matches without defeating Haiti. The sequence includes a 2-1 Haiti victory during the 2019 Gold Cup, two 1-1 draws in 2019 League of Nations play, and three results from 2025-2026 World Cup qualifying and League of Nations competition: a 3-3 draw, a 1-0 Haiti win, and a 2-0 Haiti victory.
The upcoming match, scheduled for Sunday, October 4 at 6 p.m. at Costa Rica’s Ricardo Saprissa Aymá Stadium, carries significant stakes for Haiti. According to the report, Haiti currently occupies second place in Group A of the League of Nations with 9 points, level with Curaçao on points but behind on goal difference. A draw in Costa Rica would secure Haiti’s passage to the quarterfinals, scheduled for November. The result would also place Haiti safely ahead of the Dominican Republic, which sits third with 6 points. The match will air on Teletica (Channel 7) and Repretel (Channel 6).
Key facts
- Costa Rica has not beaten Haiti in an official match since September 2, 2016, in 2018 World Cup qualifying
- Costa Rica has lost or drawn six consecutive official matches against Haiti since that victory
- Haiti needs at least a draw against Costa Rica to clinch a League of Nations quarterfinals spot
- Bryan Ruiz played in Costa Rica’s last victory over Haiti in 2016 and now coaches the team
- Only three players from the 2016 Costa Rica squad remain: Celso Borges, Rónald Matarrita, and Ruiz