2026 FIFA World Cup Warm-up Friendlies: England vs Costa Rica

England face Costa Rica in their last warm-up friendly ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This warm-up friendly marks the last time for England players to impress ahead of their World Cup Group L opener against Croatia on 17 June.

Costa Rica meanwhile failed to qualify for the tournament so this will mark a chance for them to finish this international window on a positive note.

 

Team News

Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are available for England, having arrived for the warm-up camp  on Saturday, having sat out the Three Lions’ friendly win over New Zealand due to the late conclusion of their club commitments at Arsenal.

Costa Rica have no fresh injury concerns after their 3-1 friendly loss to Colombia.

 

When is Kick-Off?

England face Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, USA, on Wednesday 10 June at 4pm EST (9pm BST), live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• England beat Costa 2-0 in their only previous international friendly, which took place in June 2018 at Elland Road, Leeds.
• Costa Rica are meeting England in an international friendly at a neutral venue for the first time.
• Jordan Henderson, John Stones and Marcus Rashford are the only three starters from England’s only previous friendly against Costa Rica to be named in current squad, although Jordan Pickford and Harry Kane were unused substitutes in that friendly.
• Harry Kane has scored three goals in his last two England appearances (W2), as they beat Albania 2-0 in their last World Cup Qualifier in November then New Zealand by 1-0 result in a friendly on Saturday (6 June).
• Costa Rice have won one of their last 11 matches in all competitions (W1, D7, L3).

 

Prediction

For all of their possession and dominance in both halves against New Zealand despite manager – Thomas Tuchel’s decision to field two different line-ups in each half, England weren’t exactly clinical so I hope that Tuchel and the players treat this more seriously as a proper warm-up for their World Cup opener.

Costa Rica though are coming into this with three clean sheets in their last 11 matches and three goals scored plus 11 goals conceded in four of their last five outings alone, so I would be treating this friendly with more seriousness and targeting their defensive vulnerability.

If they do that and are as dominant in possession as they were against New Zealand, I can see England getting a routine win.

Prediction: England 2-0 Costa Rica