Making only their second ever appearance, Panama finally wants to open their account on the World Cup stage after an excellent confidence high qualifying campaign. However, Thomas Christiansen's led team has been unlucky to be drawn into another tough group like the one in 2018 as they face England once more alongside Ghana and Croatia. Regardless, Los Canaleros will be determined to offer their best and be fearless minnows with the World Cup almost happening in their backyard. They are the highest ranked CONCACAF nation outside of the three host nations in the tournament and sit 33rd in the overall rankings.
Panama FIFA World Cup History
Panama's journey to their first-ever 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was nothing short of a fairy tale, capped off by a historic moment of pure drama. Needing a victory in their final qualifying match against Costa Rica, center-back and national hero Román Torres scored a legendary 87th-minute volley to secure a 2-1 win. This dramatic victory, combined with a shock defeat for the United States, sent Los Canaleros to the World Cup finals for the first time in history, prompting Panama’s president to declare a national holiday the very next day.
Once they reached the tournament finals in Russia, Panama faced an incredibly tough Group G against heavyweights Belgium, England, and Tunisia. While they finished last in the tournament after losing all three games, despite their best efforts, falling 3-0 to Belgium, 6-1 to England, and 2-1 to Tunisia, the tournament provided an iconic moment of pure joy. At 6-0 down against England, veteran defender Felipe Baloy scored Panama's first-ever World Cup goal, sparking wild, unforgettable celebrations from the Panamanian fans as if they had won the entire tournament.
Panama Qualification and Form for the FIFA World Cup 2026
Christiansen's side showed an impressive display of mental toughness and defensive dominance in the CONCACAF qualifiers to make their second appearance at the finals a reality. Los Canaleros easily sailed through the second round of CONCACAF qualifiers with four straight wins. However, the third and final round proved to be a much tougher test. Drawn into a competitive group with Suriname, Guatemala, and El Salvador, Panama initially stumbled, earning just six points from their first four matches. Needing a strong finish in the crucial November 2025 window, they showed championship resolve. They captured a vital 3-2 away victory in Guatemala before putting on a clinic in their final match.
On that final matchday, Panama dominated El Salvador in a 3-0 victory to leap over Suriname, finish undefeated in the round and officially claim the top spot in Group A. Powered by the goalscoring duo of José Fajardo and Cecilio Waterman, this dramatic late run officially punched Panama's ticket into the tournament this summer. They have also maintained a good form in the preparation friendlies with two draw and a win with just a narrow loss Mexico. That victory impressively came against South Africa which is a morale boosting one ahead of the tournament. They will face Brazil before heading for their opener against Ghana on the seventh day of the tournament. Here’s Panama FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification Stats and Results
Panama Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Orlando Mosquera (Al-Fayha FC), Luis Mejía (Club Nacional), César Samudio (CD Marathón)
Defenders: Michael Amir Murillo (Beşiktaş), José Córdoba (Norwich City), Andrés Andrade (LASK), César Blackman (Slovan Bratislava), Fidel Escobar (Saprissa), Edgardo Fariña (Nizhniy Novgorod), Éric Davis (CD Plaza), Jorge Gutiérrez (Deportivo La Guaira), Jiovany Ramos (Puerto Cabello), Roderick Miller (Turan Tovuz)
Midfielders: Aníbal Godoy (San Diego FC), Adalberto Carrasquilla (Pumas), Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United), José Luis Rodríguez (Juárez FC), Yoel Bárcenas (Mazatlán FC), Cristian Martínez (Ironi Kiyat), César Yanis (Cobresal), Azarías Londoño (Universidad Católica de Chile) Alberto Quintero (CD Plaza)
Forwards: Ismael Díaz (Club León)
José Fajardo (Universidad Católica) Cecilio Waterman (Universidad de Concepción) Tomás Rodríguez (Deportivo Saprissa)
Head Coach: Thomas Christiansen
Pumas midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla has been included in the roster for the World Cup 2026 despite suffering an injury in the club's final game of the season. The 27-year-old is a vital player for the side and Panama will be hoping that he gains full fitness ahead of the tournament in North America. Veteran forward Alberto Quintero was also named in the squad after missing the 2018 World Cup through injury. Aged 38, he will be poised to produce significant moments in what is likely his final major tournament for the team. The notable absences from Christiansen’s final list is the omission of Botafogo midfielder Kadir Barria. It was somewhat of a shock because the 18-year-old talent featured in most of the recent friendlies for the team. The squad features seven players who also played in the country's debut World Cup campaign in 2018 so there is plenty of tournament experience in the squad. Panama also posses the second oldest squad in the tournament with an average age of 29.52 years. Their youngest player in the squad is defender Edgardo Fariña, who is 24 years old.
Strengths of Panama Football Team
The biggest strengths of this Panama squad is their tactical discipline, a highly compact defensive structure, and deep veteran experience. Panama thrives in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation that shifts into a very tight, deep 5-4-1 shape when they do not have the ball. This defensive unit is tough to break down. They kept six clean sheets and let in just five goals over 10 qualifying matches. The roster features a seasoned group of older players who know how to manage big games. Many have played together through the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2025 Nations League finals. They are known for their physical style of play, high energy, and total buy-in to the manager's system. Having such a vast tournament experience from the last World Cup eight years ago means the squad won't be newbies at this level.
Weaknesses of Panama Football Team
Panama lacks one standout talent or a difference maker a side would have benefitted with. The one that they can rely on the World Cup stage but it makes the task even harder to produce the star quality. Their limited attacking fire power cumulated with a deficiency of a clinical striker if not a world-class one is a major drawback for the team. Their top scorers in the qualifiers, Jose Fardo and Jose Luis Rodriguez only managed three goals with only the former being positionally striker. They struggle when they have to control the game and break down elite defenses. They heavily rely on counterattacks rather than creative open play. When playing teams with superior technical skills, Panama tends to get pushed too far back into their own half. There is also a real lack of depth in the side.
Key player: Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla
The undisputed key player for Panama is central midfielder Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla. The 27-year-old is the true heart and engine for Los Canaleros. The Pumas playmaker is key in controlling the tempo and balance for the side, slotting alongside captain Aníbal Godoy to make a perfect midfield duo. Carrasquilla excels in his vision, creative passing, and magic footwork that will give the spark and energy for a team that will be defending for most parts of the tournament. Because Panama struggles to score goals and lacks elite forward stars, they rely heavily on Carrasquilla to win the ball back in midfield and immediately launch fast counterattacks. He is the player who connects the defense to the attack, making him completely irreplaceable in coach Thomas Christiansen's system. If Panama hopes to shock the world and survive a crunching group, they will need a healthy, peak-performance from their star midfielder.
How will Panama Lineup at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Panama might be forced to use the 5-4-1 ultra defensive shape because of the level of their opponents in their group. Limiting damages will be the key while the system should be flexible enough to also administer productive counter attacks. Hence, it will require almost a set of personnel which is difficult considering Panama has heavily rotated their squad in the qualifiers and have really stick together with the same eleven. So it will be difficult to spot out the exact players that will be in Christiansen's plans to start games but there is no harm to guess. Orlando Mosquera seems to be fixed name in between the sticks while now Beşiktaş and former Marseille right back, Michael Amir Murillo provide excellent ball progression and width to spark counterattacks, also from a wing-back role. The same could be said about Éric Davis on the opposite flank. Carlos Harvey of Minnesota United, who can also play in midfield, could partner Norwich City's José Córdoba and Jiovany Ramos to form the three center-backs. The midfield duo of Carrasquilla and captain Godoy give the team incredible shape and balance. As there is lack of proper nine in the team, Club Leon's Ismael Díaz could move upfront for his great physical presence, sharp dribbling skills, and eye for goal with also the experience of playing the 2018 edition.
Panama Group L Fixtures and Opposition in FIFA World Cup 2026
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Ghana vs Panama - BMO Field Stadium, Toronto (4:30)
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Panama vs Croatia - BMO Field Stadium, Toronto
Sunday, 28 June 2026
Panama vs England - MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Panama FIFA World Cup 2026 Prediction
When the groups were drawn, Panama knew they had little chance drawn against one of Africa's heavyweights and World Cup regulars Ghana, podium finishers Croatia and one of the tournament favourites England, whom they also faced in 2018. They faced similar circumstances back then as well so it won't be anything new for them but the experience will hardly matter here. The team has not been able to bring a lot of fresh faces since that debut appearance and have a very aged squad with an over-reliance on defense so they are unlikely to match the intensity or protect themselves from the attacking force the opponents will bring in. Their objective to get their first point on the Works Cup stage also looks unlikely. However, Thomas Christiansen will hope his side at least try to have better showing this time and leave the tournament with their head held high.
