Perez: I’m ready to be a leader for Costa Rica

While she has not yet turned 20, it would be a mistake to assume Genesis Perez is lacking experience. Costa Rica’s teenage goalkeeper, who is about to represent her country at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024™ , already has two global tournaments on her CV: the 2022 edition of the U-20 World Cup, hosted in her homeland, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.

Perez quickly sums up those experiences as “one good and one bad”. The “bad” relates to the 2022 tournament, when Costa Rica failed to meet their own expectations as hosts, losing their three group games to Brazil, Spain and Australia and bowing out in the first round.

On reflection, the keeper seems to regret her initial simplistic description, eventually opening up on the positives she took from the competition.

“I didn’t manage to enjoy the World Cup in Costa Rica the way I wanted,” the 19-year-old told FIFA. “We had planned to achieve more there but came up short. However, that World Cup made me strive even harder and left me hungry for more. It also taught me not to be complacent and made me mature.

“Playing on home soil is a really nice experience, travelling on the bus to games, having your own people close to you… The most beautiful moment was singing our national anthem. It gave me goosebumps and was something unforgettable.”

The aforementioned “good” comes from having been part of Las Ticas’ squad at Australia & New Zealand 2023. While Perez did not get any playing time at the competition, she explained how she benefited from being away with the squad for an extended period

“It was incredible because I never thought I’d be at a senior World Cup,” Perez added. “Being part of the squad was a unique experience. I learned a lot from my team-mates.”

Perez’s tournament experiences have fuelled her desire to help Costa Rica achieve their longstanding goal of winning a Women’s World Cup game in any category.

“I think it’s the ultimate objective,” said Perez, who plays for the University of Central Florida, where she is also studying psychology. “We want to compete and not just travel.”

At Colombia 2024, more will be asked of the keeper than just saves and distribution. Perez will assume a leadership role as Las Ticas battle it out with Group F opponents Korea DPR, Argentina and the Netherlands.

“I take it [my status as a leader] seriously,” she said. “I’ve already been to a youth World Cup and a senior one, so I am expected to find ways to help my team-mates so that they know what to expect.

“My role at this World Cup will be different as I’d now categorise myself as a leader. I’m more battle-hardened and have more experience, so I have an idea of what we’re going to face and can guide my team-mates. It’s a role that I love, and it’s always important to have someone to help keep things on an even keel.”

Perez is hopeful her team can progress to the knockout phase at Colombia 2024 – and provide further evidence that Costa Rican women’s football is on the up.

“There’s been a vast improvement compared to the last World Cup, and we have a clear idea that we’ll try to deliver [on the pitch] as best we can,” she said. “We have a promising future. Our U-15s have just competed strongly [at the Concacaf Girls’ U-15 Championship], so they’re coming through behind us. We need to leave a good path for them to follow so they can develop in the same way. That’s the goal. So, our task now is to change things at a World Cup, which would bring many good things for the country.”