“La Sele” de Costa Rica, the national soccer team, already defined the list of players that will be part of the Russia World Cup; the information was shared today in a press conference by head coach Oscar Ramirez.

Although the majority of the names were already expected to be part of the list since they were regular figures during the classification phase, there were a few surprises.

Goal keepers:
Keylor Navas (Team: Real Madrid / Age: 31)
Patrick Pemberton (Team: Liga Deportiva Alajuelense / Age: 30)
Leonel Moreira (Team: Heredia / Age: 28 / First time in a World Cup)

Defenders:
Bryan Oviedo (Team: Sunderland / Age: 27 / First time in a World Cup)
Giancarlo Gonzales (Team: Bolognia / Age: 29)
Ronald Matarrita (Team: New York City / Age: 23)
Kendall Waston (Team: Vancouver Wh. / Age: 29 / First time in a World Cup)
Cristian Gamboa (Team: Celtic / Age: 27)
Oscar Duarte (Team: Espanyol / Age: 28)
Johnny Acosta (Team: Rionegro Aguilas / Age: 34)
Francisco Calvo (Team: Minnesota United / Age: 25/ First time in a World Cup)
Ian Smith: (Team: Norrkoping / Age: 20 / First time in a World Cup)

Midfielders:
Celso Borges (Team: Deportivo La Coluña / Age: 29)
Yeltsin Tejeda (Team: Lausanne Sport / Age: 25)
David Guzman (Team: Portland Timbers/ Age: 27/ First time in a World Cup)
Cristian Bolaños (Team: Saprissa / Age: 33)
Bryan Ruiz (Team: Sporting Lisboa / Age: 32)
Daniel Colindres (Team: Saprissa / Age: 32 / First time in a World Cup)
Rodney Wallace (Team: New York City / Age: 29/ First time in a World Cup)
Randall Azofeifa (Team: Heredia / Age: 32)

Forwards:
Johan Venegas (Team: Saprissa / Age 28 / First time in a World Cup)
Joel Campbell (Team: Real Betis / Age: 25)
Marco Ureña (Team: Los Angeles / Age 27)

Coach Ramirez, also mentioned four players who are in waiting list in the event that any of the 23 players called on are not in conditions to make the World Cup, these are: Yendrick Ruiz, Kenner Gutierrez, Wilmer Azofeifa and David Ramirez.

The names of Ian Smith and Leonel Moreira came as a surprise since neither of them had participation during the elimination stage, Smith is taking the position left by Jose Andres Salvatierra who was discarded as a result of an injury suffered only days back. Cristian Bolaños, one of the most important players for “La Sele” is still a doubt since he suffered an injury weeks back and is still in recovery, Ramirez mentioned that he expects he makes a full recovery before the World Cup.

Costa Rica’s National Soccer Team will have it’s first participation in the Russia World Cup on June 17 against Serbia. The second game will be against Brazil on June 22 and the third match scheduled is June 26 against Switzerland.

This is Costa Rica’s fifth World Cup.