Panama will be playing at the FIFA World Cup in what will be their second appearance among the big boys. They qualified for the World Cup 2018 in Russia, and have successfully punched their tickets for the showpiece event in USA, Mexico and Canada. 

Coached by Thomas Christiansen, who has previously worked with Leeds United and Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, the Panama side are in the safe hands of an excellent tactician. 

Qualifying for the World Cup will be a big boost for the nation, but the road ahead presents a daunting task as Panama have been paired alongside heavyweights England, Croatia and Ghana in Group L. Some may even call it a mini-group of death. 

The Canaleros will be calling upon their experienced bunch, including Ismael Díaz, Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla and Amir Murillo to guide the team into the knockouts for the very first time. Before that, the immediate goal would be to pick up their first win in World Cup history, as they lost all three group matches in 2018. 

Best Player – Amir Murillo (Right-back, Beşiktaş)

One of the most experienced players in the team, Amir Murillo, has made 90 appearances for Panama and has scored 9 goals. The veteran right-back is well-renowned for his pace and trickery. After extensive spells in the MLS with New York Red Bulls, he played for Anderlecht and Marseille before joining Beşiktaş. His presence at right-back will definitely give opposition wingers a few headaches. 

Panama at the World Cup

Panama have only featured in the World Cup once before in 2018. They were drawn in Group G with Belgium, England and Tunisia. After losing their first match to eventual semifinalists Belgium 0-3, the team were hammered 6-1 by England. However, the match saw Panama score for the first time in the World Cup as Felipe Baloy etched his name in the history books by scoring against the Three Lions. The Central American side got their second World Cup goal in the next match, but they eventually lost 1-2 to Tunisia. 

• First World Cup: Russia 2018
• Last World Cup:  Russia 2018 (group stage)
• World Cup appearances: 1 (2018)
• Current run of successive qualifications: 1 
• As World Cup hosts: Never hosted

Head Coach

Thomas Christiansen has been at the helm since 2020, and he has had a roller-coaster ride as Panama’s coach. Under his tutelage, the Canaleros failed to qualify past the group stage of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. They were then eliminated from the 2022 Qatar qualifying round on the penultimate matchday, but the Panamanian Football Federation stuck with Christiansen.

With time, he implemented a possession-focused approach and helped the team reach the semifinals of the 023 and 2024 Nations League. They reached the final of the 2025 Nations League and the 2023 Gold Cup. 

The former Bundesliga top scorer gave youngsters like Carlos Harvey and Adalberto Carrasquilla a chance to flourish, while experienced players have also thrived in his setup.  

Players to Follow

• Ismael Díaz (Left-winger, León)

Diaz brings attacking production from both MLS and the Panamanian league, highlighted by goal-scoring stretches that carried over into CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup.

• Adalberto Carrasquilla (Midfielder, UNAM Pumas)

One of Panama’s most consistent players, the midfielder won the 2023 Gold Cup Best Player honours, and he has made 70 appearances for the national team, contributing 3 goals. 

• Aníbal Godoy (Defensive midfielder, San Diego FC) 

The captain of the Panama team, Godoy, has more than 150 caps for the national team and is well-renowned for his defensive stability. 

• Luis Mejía (Goalkeeper, Nacional)

The custodian has collected over 55 caps for Panama and has been a reliable presence in goal. Currently playing for Nacional, he has made over 100 appearances for the club across two spells.

Qualification Path to World Cup 2026

Panama secured their second World Cup hurrah after finishing in first place in Group A in the third round of Concacaf qualifying. The Central American nation booked their tickets for the extended 48-team World Cup after cruising through the second round of qualifying with victories over Nicaragua, Guyana, Montserrat and Belize. 

In the third round, they were given a tough fight by Suriname and Guatemala, before they found their rhythm and won full points against El Salvador. The Canaleros pipped Suriname into top spot on the final matchday by beating El Salvador. 

Team Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: Panama will count on their experienced midfielders and a compact defensive structure to frustrate higher-ranked opponents. They are a highly disciplined, tactical, and underrated side. They have played in a 4-2-3-1 and a 5-4-1 with a compact defensive structure, high-tempo transitions, and experienced players from MLS and Liga MX. 

Weaknesses: Lack of attacking arsenal may come back to haunt Panama in a group comprising of heavyweights like England and Croatia. They rely on a compact defensive style of football, but they can only qualify further if Christiansen’s side can find ways to score against higher-ranked teams. 

Facts / Trivia 

• The Panama Canal opened in the same year that the United States men’s team joined FIFA (1914), and its expansion opened in the same year that the U.S. hosted Copa America for the first time (2016).
• Seven players appeared in all three matches for Panama in 2018: Jaime Penedo, Roman Torres, Fidel Escobar, Gabriel Gomez, Anibal Godoy, Edgar Barcenas, Jose Luis Rodriguez.
• Luis Carlos Tejada, Panama’s leading goal-scorer with 43 strikes, passed away last year at 41 during a recreational football match in his hometown.
• Panama have finished runners-up three times in the Gold Cup in 2005, 2013 and 2023, while also finishing second in the 2025 Nations League. 

Conclusion

While Panama are the least favourite team in their group, they certainly have enough talent to inflict a giant-killing on their day. A disciplined and tactically sound team, the Canaleros will be gunning to make their fans proud at the global showpiece.