MANAGUA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nicaragua's national soccer team will play three matches against Costa Rica to prepare for the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament, the Nicaraguan Football Federation (Fenifut) said Sunday.

Ildefonso Agurcia, President of Fenifut, said the matches will take place between March 2 and 10, according to a training schedule for the World Cup qualifying tournament.

"With the help of coach Henry Duarte, Fenifut is making arrangements with the Costa Rican federation to carry out this pre-world cup training season," said Agurcia.

Agurcia said Nicaragua will play a match against Costa Rica's U-20 team as well as teams at the first and second places in local first division league.

Last week, Duarte was presented as the new coach of Nicaragua.