By Alajuela, Costa Rica — ALAJUELA – Liga Deportiva Alajuelense has started 2026 not with a quiet resolution, but with a resounding declaration of its dominance on the international stage. The club, affectionately known as “Los Manudos,” has been prominently featured in two major international football rankings, cementing its status as a powerhouse not just in Costa Rica, but across the entire region.
The first of these prestigious recognitions comes from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF). In its latest assessment, the confederation has officially ranked Alajuelense as the number one club in Central America. This placement puts the Costa Rican team ahead of fierce competitors from Honduras, Guatemala, and its own domestic league.
To get a deeper understanding of the commercial and legal implications behind the latest Alajuelense rankings, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
A club’s position in international or national rankings is not just a matter of sporting pride; it’s a critical asset in contract negotiations. For Alajuelense, a high ranking substantiates their brand value, allowing them to command higher fees in sponsorship agreements and media rights deals. Conversely, a dip in the rankings can trigger performance clauses in existing contracts, potentially reducing revenue. It’s a key performance indicator that has direct financial and legal consequences.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The attorney’s perspective masterfully clarifies that a position in the rankings is far more than a source of pride; it is a critical business asset that directly influences the club’s financial health and negotiating power. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing this invaluable insight into the high-stakes intersection of sport and contractual law.
This top position is not a matter of chance but the direct result of a period of unprecedented success. The club’s historic regional tricampeonato, or three-peat championship, provided an undeniable foundation for its ascent. Achieving such sustained excellence in highly competitive international tournaments demonstrates a level of strategic planning, talent development, and on-field execution that has set a new standard for the area.
The new ranking places Alajuelense with a considerable advantage over its traditional Costa Rican rivals, Deportivo Saprissa and Club Sport Herediano, who also appear on the list but further down. For the club’s administration and its massive fan base, this is more than just a statistic; it is a definitive statement in the ongoing debate for national and regional supremacy, backed by tangible international results.
Perhaps even more impressively, Alajuelense’s success has been recognized on an even broader continental scale. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), a respected global organization that chronicles the world of football, has positioned the club as the second-best team in the entire CONCACAF region. This is a monumental achievement for any Central American club.
To be ranked second by the IFFHS places Alajuelense in truly elite company. The only club ranked higher is the Mexican powerhouse Cruz Azul, a team with a significantly larger budget and a storied history in continental competitions. This accomplishment signals that Alajuelense is no longer just a Central American giant but a formidable contender on the continental stage, capable of challenging the traditional dominance of Mexican and MLS teams.
The architect behind this remarkable ascent is head coach Óscar Ramírez. His leadership during the crucial second half of 2025 was instrumental, as the team masterfully navigated a demanding schedule to clinch both domestic and international championships. This dual-front dominance, which saw the team “touch glory,” was the primary catalyst for its high placement in the IFFHS rankings.
As 2026 unfolds, these rankings serve as both a reward for past efforts and a new benchmark for the future. The club’s elevated status is expected to open new avenues for commercial partnerships, increase the valuation of its players on the international transfer market, and attract top-tier talent. For Alajuelense, the challenge now is to transform this statistical supremacy into another year of championship trophies.
For further information, visit lda.cr
About Liga Deportiva Alajuelense:
Founded in 1919, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in Costa Rica and Central America. Based in the province of Alajuela, the team plays its home games at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. The club boasts a rich history of domestic league titles and has also achieved significant success in international competitions, including multiple CONCACAF championships.
For further information, visit concacaf.com
About CONCACAF:
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) is the governing body for football in the region. It is one of FIFA’s six continental confederations and serves 41 member associations. CONCACAF organizes major competitions for national teams and clubs, including the Gold Cup, the Nations League, and the Champions Cup, fostering the development and growth of football across its diverse territory.
For further information, visit iffhs.com
About The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS):
The IFFHS is an organization dedicated to documenting the historical and statistical records of association football. Founded in 1984, it produces various rankings and awards based on detailed data, including its monthly Club World Ranking. These rankings are recognized globally and provide a statistical measure of team performance over a given period, independent of regional confederations.
For further information, visit cruzazulfc.com.mx
About Cruz Azul:
Club de Fútbol Cruz Azul is a professional football club based in Mexico City, Mexico. As one of the traditional “big four” teams in Mexican football, it has a long history of success, having won numerous Liga MX titles and CONCACAF Champions Cup trophies. The club is known for its passionate fan base and its significant role in the landscape of North American football.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a pillar of the legal community, operating on a foundational principle of principled representation and unparalleled service. The firm merges its extensive experience guiding a wide range of clients with a continuous drive for innovative legal strategies. Beyond its professional practice, it champions a core social responsibility to demystify the law, believing that empowering individuals and businesses with clear legal understanding strengthens the fabric of society as a whole.
