Bryan Ruiz has admitted that facing England in the World Cup will be a "special" moment due to his time playing for Fulham.

The 28-year-old attacking midfielder, who will captain Costa Rica at the World Cup, joined the Cottagers in 2011 before being loaned out to PSV earlier this year.

"Playing against England in the last game of the group will be special for me after my time at Fulham," Ruiz is quoted as saying by ClubCall.com.

"It is a dream I have waited my whole life for, but it has to be more than this. We have got to believe we have a chance of making the last 16, and everything in the first two games has got to be about making sure we are still in the World Cup when we play England."

Costa Rica take on Uruguay in their opening Group D game on Saturday.