The Costa Rica Federation have cancelled their side’s pre-World Cup friendly against Iraq on Thursday.
Costa Rica were due to travel to the match in Iraq on Wednesday night. The delegation requested the Iraqi government not stamp its passports upon entering the country, however, local border authorities refused to honour the agreement and the side returned to their training camp in Kuwait.
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It is a setback for head coach Luis Fernando Suarez as the friendly against Iraq was his final opportunity to test players. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas has also not played with his team-mates since they beat New Zealand in a World Cup play-off match on June 14 to qualify for a place in Qatar.
Costa Rica overcame Uruguay, Italy and England in 2014 and will be hoping to defy the odds at the World Cup again.
Once more, they find themselves in a group with international stalwarts — Spain and Germany this time — so goalkeeper and star man Navas can expect to be busy. They are also accompanied by Japan in Group E.
Costa Rica travel to Qatar on Friday with their first game on November 23 against Spain.
Iraq did not qualify for the tournament, which starts on Sunday.
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(Photo: Getty Images)
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