Costa Rica Football Shirts: A Complete Guide to Los Ticos Kits
Introduction to Costa Rica National Team Kits
The Costa Rica national football team, affectionately known as Los Ticos (The Costa Ricans), has earned its place among international football's respected nations through decades of competitive performances and remarkable tournament runs. Costa Rica's home shirt traditionally features the team's primary colours of red, white, and blue, representing the nation's tricolour flag and embodying the pride of Central America's most consistent footballing force.
Costa Rica is the only national team in Central America to have played in six FIFA World Cup editions, establishing a legacy that makes their jerseys instantly recognisable to football fans worldwide. These kits tell the story of a small nation that consistently punches above its weight on the global stage, making Costa Rican football shirts highly sought-after by collectors and supporters alike.
A Brief History of Costa Rica Kit Evolution
The evolution of Costa Rica's football kits reflects both the nation's footballing journey and the changing landscape of sportswear manufacturing. Costa Rica traditionally wears a red jersey with blue shorts and white socks, while their away kit historically featured Juventus-style black and white striped jerseys with white shorts, inspired by CS La Libertad, one of the country's oldest clubs. This distinctive striped design became iconic in its own right before being phased out after 1997 in favour of predominantly white away kits.
Kit Manufacturers Through the Decades:
Over the years, Costa Rica has partnered with several prominent sportswear brands, each bringing their own design philosophy to Los Ticos' jerseys. In 2015, Boston-based sportswear company New Balance became the provider for the national team after taking over from Italian company Lotto. The New Balance era brought innovative designs that celebrated Costa Rica's natural heritage, with jerseys developed using partially recycled materials and featuring bold animal graphic prints inspired by the country's diverse wildlife and natural landscape.
Since 2023, adidas has been the kit provider for the national team, marking a new chapter for Costa Rican football fashion. The German sportswear giant has continued the tradition of honouring Costa Rica's natural beauty while incorporating modern performance technology and contemporary design aesthetics.
Sponsor History:
Throughout their kit evolution, Costa Rica's jerseys have featured various commercial sponsors that reflect the nation's commercial partnerships and growing profile in international football. These sponsorship deals have helped fund the national team's development programmes while adding visual variety to the kits across different eras.
Iconic Costa Rica Jerseys Through the Years
Italia 1990 - The Breakthrough Jersey:
Costa Rica made a prominent performance in the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, making it to the knockout stage in their debut after finishing second in their group, behind Brazil. The red jersey worn during this tournament became the first truly iconic Costa Rican kit, representing the nation's arrival on football's biggest stage. Interestingly, the black and white striped away kit was used for two matches due to its resemblance to the home kit of FK Partizan, which Costa Rica's coach Bora Milutinovi? was a fan of.
2002 & 2006 World Cup Kits:
Costa Rica qualified for the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, with each tournament bringing fresh kit designs that balanced traditional elements with modern flair. These jerseys represent an era when Los Ticos established themselves as regular World Cup qualifiers.
Brazil 2014 - The Giant-Killers' Jersey:
Perhaps the most celebrated Costa Rica shirt in history is the 2014 World Cup kit manufactured by Lotto. In 2014, Costa Rica achieved their best performance in history by finishing first in their group that consisted of three former World Cup champions: Uruguay, Italy, and England. Costa Rica reached the quarter-finals in 2014, coming agonisingly close to the semi-finals after a penalty shootout defeat to the Netherlands.
The red home shirt and white away kit from this tournament have become timeless classics, forever associated with Keylor Navas' heroic goalkeeping, Bryan Ruiz's leadership, and Joel Campbell's breakthrough performances. This jersey represents one of the greatest underdog stories in World Cup history.
2021 Bicentennial Kits - Sustainability Meets Style:
New Balance's 2021 designs marked a significant moment in Costa Rica's kit history. Created to celebrate Costa Rica's 200-year bicentennial, the jerseys used partially recycled materials, with front, back and sleeve panels made from 100% recycled polyester, paying tribute to the nation's longstanding commitment to sustainability. The naturalistic patterns flowing across the shirts perfectly captured Costa Rica's environmental ethos.
2024/25 Adidas Era - "Nuestra Camiseta":
The current generation of Costa Rica shirts represents the cutting edge of football kit design. The 2024/25 home and away jerseys were unveiled under the "Nuestra Camiseta" (Our Shirt) campaign, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Costa Rica, with designs that pay homage to the nation's treasures and its privileged location between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Little-Known Facts About Costa Rica Kits
The CS La Libertad Connection:
Few fans realise that Costa Rica's historic black and white striped away jersey was directly inspired by CS La Libertad, one of the oldest clubs in the country. This deep connection between club and national team colours demonstrates how grassroots football heritage influences national identity.
"The Gold Shorties" Nickname:
In the late 1940s, Costa Rica's national team earned the memorable nickname "The Gold Shorties," referring to both the players' stature and their golden kit elements during that era - a fascinating piece of trivia that predates modern kit manufacturing by decades.
Record-Breaking Ranking in 2014:
Costa Rica achieved the all-time highest Football Elo Ranking in Central America at 1806 in 2014, the same year they wore their iconic Lotto kit to the World Cup quarter-finals. The jersey and the achievement are forever linked in Costa Rican sporting folklore.
Our Costa Rica Football Shirt Range
UK Soccer Shop is proud to offer an extensive collection of Costa Rica football shirts for every supporter. Our range includes:
Classic & Retro Shirts: Relive legendary moments with vintage Costa Rica jerseys from past tournaments, including sought-after designs from the 2014 World Cup, 2002 campaigns, and iconic 1990s editions. Perfect for collectors and nostalgic fans.
Training & Leisure Wear: Beyond match shirts, explore Costa Rica training tops, presentation jackets, and casual wear to support your team in style every day.
Personalisation Options
Transform your Costa Rica shirt into a unique piece of football memorabilia with our comprehensive personalisation service:
Player Names & Numbers: Add official lettering for stars like Keylor Navas (1), Bryan Ruiz (10), Joel Campbell, or any member of the current squad
Custom Personalisation: Create your own design with your name and chosen number using authentic printing
Whether you want to honour a Costa Rican legend or make the shirt your own, our customisation options ensure your jersey stands out from the crowd.
Related Teams & Competitions
Costa Rica's fierce rivalries and tournament participation make them a compelling team to follow. Fans of Los Ticos often also support:
CONCACAF Rivals: Browse our collections for Mexico, USA, Panama, and Honduras to complete your Central American and North American football shirt collection.
World Cup Opponents: Explore shirts from teams Costa Rica have faced in memorable World Cup battles, including Brazil, Italy, England, Uruguay, and Netherlands.
International Competitions: Discover our full range of International Football Shirts and North American National Teams to expand your collection beyond Los Ticos.
Tournament Collections: Shop our World Cup Shirts, Euro football shirts, and CONCACAF Gold Cup Kits to find Costa Rica tournament-specific editions.
Why Choose UK Soccer Shop for Your Costa Rica Shirt?
Authentic Official Merchandise: Every Costa Rica jersey we sell is 100% genuine, sourced directly from adidas and official suppliers
Competitive Pricing: We offer excellent value on all Los Ticos kits without compromising on quality
Fast, Reliable Delivery: Quick dispatch and tracked shipping options to get your shirt to you rapidly
Expert Customer Service: Our knowledgeable team can help with sizing, personalisation queries, and product information
Secure Shopping: Shop with confidence using our encrypted checkout and trusted payment methods
Whether you're a lifelong supporter of Los Ticos, a collector of international football shirts, or simply admire Costa Rica's spirited approach to the beautiful game, UK Soccer Shop is your destination for authentic Costa Rica football shirts. Order your jersey today and join the proud tradition of supporting Central America's finest football nation.