Costa Rica Futsal Team Loses to Cuba in CONCACAF Semifinals, Still Qualifies for World Cup

The Costa Rica national futsal team suffered a heartbreaking 7-6 penalty shootout loss to Cuba in the semifinals of the 2024 CONCACAF Futsal Championship in Managua, Nicaragua on Friday. The match ended 3-3 after regulation and extra time, with Cuba equalizing late in the second half to force the additional periods. The defeat ended Costa Rica's bid for a fourth consecutive CONCACAF futsal title.

Despite the semifinal loss, Costa Rica still qualified for the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan as one of the top four teams in the CONCACAF tournament. The other semifinal saw Panama defeat Guatemala 6-3 after extra time to reach their second CONCACAF Futsal Championship final. Panama took an early lead before Guatemala equalized and went ahead, but three unanswered goals in extra time secured Panama's spot in the final against Cuba.

Why this matters: The CONCACAF Futsal Championship serves as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, with the top four teams earning spots at the global event. While Costa Rica missed out on a chance for another regional title, their World Cup qualification extends their streak of appearances on the world stage.

The 2024 CONCACAF Futsal Championship is the 8th edition of the tournament and the first to be held in Nicaragua. Twelve teams are participating in the event at the Polideportivo Alexis Argüello in Managua from April 13-20. The four World Cup qualifiers from CONCACAF were determined on April 17 after the quarterfinal round.

In the third-place match on Saturday, Costa Rica will face Guatemala before Cuba and Panama meet in the final to determine the CONCACAF futsal champion. "We are disappointed to not reach the final again, but proud to have qualified for another World Cup," said Costa Rica futsal coach Carlos Quirós. "Now we must regroup and prepare to perform our best in Uzbekistan."

Key Takeaways

• Costa Rica lost 7-6 on penalties to Cuba in CONCACAF Futsal semifinal
• Despite loss, Costa Rica qualified for 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup
• Panama defeated Guatemala 6-3 after extra time to reach CONCACAF final
• CONCACAF Futsal Championship serves as World Cup qualifying tournament
• Costa Rica to face Guatemala in third-place match, final is Cuba vs. Panama