Miguel Herrera's latest tenure as the head coach of the Costa Rica national soccer team ended on a disappointing note as the team did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Costa Rica finished third in Group C of the final qualification phase, behind Haiti and Honduras, leaving them without a chance to compete on the world stage. While the team only lost one match, their performance included just one win and four draws, raising questions about the team's strategy and execution under Herrera's leadership.

In the wake of this disappointment, Costa Rican player Francisco Calvo publicly defended Herrera, suggesting that the blame for the team's failure should not fall solely on the coach. Speaking during an interview on the YouTube program 'SEGUIMOS', hosted by journalist Kevin Jiménez, Calvo emphasized that the entire team, including the players, should share the responsibility for the results. This perspective highlights a common sentiment that coaching is only one aspect of a team's performance, and other factors, including player effort and team dynamics, play a crucial role as well.

Calvo's comments are significant as they reflect not only a defense of Herrera but also a call for accountability among players and staff alike. The failure to qualify for a World Cup is a notable setback for Costa Rican soccer, which has a passionate fan base and a history of success in international competitions. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how the team and its management will address these challenges and regroup for future competitions.