A Star from Garabito Heads to the World Stage: Nubia Medina and Costa Rica’s U17 Girls Qualify for the 2025 World Cup

Big News for Costa Rica—and Even Bigger for Jacó
History was made last week as Costa Rica’s U17 Girls National Team qualified for the 2025 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
But here in Jacó, that news feels even more personal.
Why? Because Nubia Medina, one of the team’s standout players, is a rising star from our very own community.
At just 14 years old, Nubia is the youngest player on the national team—and already proving she belongs. In the final qualifying matches, she scored 4 goals, helping to lead her team to victory and punch their ticket to the world’s biggest stage for youth soccer.

🏝️ From Isla Chira to Garabito: A Journey of Sacrifice and Purpose
Nubia’s journey began far from stadiums and spotlight. She was born on Isla Chira, a small island off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. More than three years ago, her mother began bringing her to Garabito every week—committed to giving her daughter a better chance through soccer.
That commitment eventually became something bigger. Her mom made a brave and selfless decision: she asked Lisle and Ana Milena Head, long-time leaders in the Jacó community, if Nubia could live with them full-time to pursue her dreams.
They said yes.
“When someone makes that kind of sacrifice, and we have the ability to help—it felt like God was putting something in our hands we were meant to do,” said Lisle.
Since then, Nubia has become part of their family. Her mom even granted Lisle and Ana parental rights so they could make decisions and travel with her. She’s now home-schooled, learning English, and staying focused on her goal: a full scholarship to a top U.S. university.

⚽ Escorpiones de Garabito: Where Dreams Take the Field
When Nubia’s talent started outgrowing the available girls’ competition, she didn’t slow down—she moved up. She now plays for the U15 Boys team of Escorpiones de Garabito, where she trains and competes at a higher level to keep developing.
Escorpiones de Garabito was founded in October by Lisle and Ana as a community-driven soccer academy and non-profit. It’s powered by local donations and their U.S.-based H-E-A-D Foundation, and now serves over 200 kids across the region.
For just 20,000 colones per month, young players get access to:
⚽ Professional coaching four times a week

🚌 Transportation, uniforms, and tournaments

📹 Highlight videos and scouting tools

🌎 Pathways to U.S. scholarships

💡 Leadership training, discipline, and life skills

“We’re not just building athletes,” says Ana. “We’re building confident, capable kids who believe in their future.”

🌟 Nubia Is Just the Beginning
Nubia’s rise to the National Team is proof that when a community invests in its youth, incredible things happen.
Her story is more than just inspirational—it’s transformational. It’s a reflection of what’s possible when vision, commitment, and love come together.
And as she steps onto the world stage in Morocco next year, we’ll be cheering—not just for her, but for every dream that starts on the dusty fields of Garabito.

🙌 How You Can Support the Next Nubia
Want to get involved? Here’s how:
🟢 Donate or sponsor a player through Escorpiones de Garabito or the H-E-A-D Foundation
👟 Drop off used cleats, balls, and gear
📣 Follow and share our story on social media:
Instagram: @futbolgarabito

Facebook: Fútbol Femenino Garabito
🏟️ Come out to games and show your support
❤️ Tell others—because community grows through connection