Panama: Qualifies for World Cup 2026

Panama, ranked 33rd by FIFA, has qualified for the World Cup. This will be their second appearance at the World Cup. First, Panama suffered 3 defeats at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, conceding 11 goals against Belgium, England and Tunisia. Currently, under coach Thomas Christiansen in 2020, the Central American team is looking to build on past country league and Gold Cup wins. But in a group that includes Kenya, Croatia and England, their chances of fulfilling their dreams are slim.

JOURNEY TO THE WORLD CUP

Joined from the second stage of the Concacaf qualifying rankings, Panama first won the group against Nicaragua, then triumphed over Suriname and Guatemala in the third and final stage, notably thanks to goals from Fajardo and Waterman. Panama allowed just 5 goals in 10 matches across the two groups.

team

Some of Panama's national team players, such as Anibal Godai – 159 caps – and Cecilio Waterman (who scored the goal that knocked the US team out of the country's league), are true icons in the country. Kristiansen leads a planned and organized team, for which the central work of Godai and Karaskilla is key, but they may experience difficulties when facing opponents with more technical skills. A one-number statistic: Panama, with an average age of 30.4 years, is the 'finished' team at the World Cup.

everyone in general

Drivers : Orlando Mosquera (Al-Fayha), Luis Mejia (National), Cesar Samudio (CD Marathon).

Defenders: Cesar Blackman (Slovan Bratislava), Jorge Republic (Deportivo La Guaira), Amir Murillo (Besiktas), Fidel Escobar (Deportivo Saprissa), Andres Andrade (LSK), Edgardo Farina (Nizhny Novgorod), Jose Cordoba (Norwich City), Eric Davies (CD Plaza Amador), Giovanni Ramos (Academia Puerto Cabello), Roderick Miller (Duran Toves).

Players for center: Anibal Godai (San Diego FC), Adalberto Carasquilla (Pumas), Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United), Cristian Martins (Happol Ironi Kiryat Shomna), Jose Luis Rodriguez (FC Juarez), Cesar Yannis (Kobresal), Yoel Baskanus (Mazatlan FC), Alberto Quentaro (CD Plaza Amador), Azarias Londoño (Universitat Católica).

Forward (4-3-2-1): Mosquera; Farina, Andrade, Cordoba, Murillo; Carrasquilla, Godai, Davies; Barcenas, Diaz; Fajardo.