Panama
The Panama National Soccer Team, established in 1937, has become a rising force in CONCACAF. Overseen by the Panamanian Football Federation, the team is known for its determination, physical strength, and steady tactical growth. Panama made history with its first FIFA World Cup appearance in 2018 and continues to build momentum, developing a competitive squad that thrives in regional and international tournaments.
Explore the official Panama National Team squad and get a clear overview of every player selected for the tournament. Discover the key details behind the stars, rising talents, and core squad members who shape the team’s World Cup 2026 campaign.
L. Mejía
Position
Goalkeeper
Age
34
O. Mosquera
Position
Goalkeeper
Age
31
C. Samudio
Position
Goalkeeper
Age
31
A. Andrade
Position
Defender
Age
27
C. Blackman
Position
Midfielder
Age
27
J. Córdoba
Position
Defender
Age
24
É. Davis
Position
Defender
Age
34
F. Escobar
Position
Defender
Age
30
E. Fariña
Position
Defender
Age
24
J. Gutiérrez
Position
Defender
Age
27
C. Harvey
Position
Midfielder
Age
25
R. Miller
Position
Defender
Age
33
A. Murillo
Position
Midfielder
Age
29
J. Ramos
Position
Defender
Age
28
A. Carrasquilla
Position
Midfielder
Age
27
A. Godoy
Position
Midfielder
Age
35
C. Martinez
Position
Midfielder
Age
28
J. Rodríguez
Position
Attacker
Age
27
Y. Bárcenas
Position
Midfielder
Age
32
I. Díaz
Position
Attacker
Age
28
A. Quintero
Position
Midfielder
Age
38
C. Yanis
Position
Midfielder
Age
29
J. Fajardo
Position
Attacker
Age
32
A. Londoño
Position
Midfielder
Age
24
T. Rodríguez
Position
Attacker
Age
26
C. Waterman
Position
Attacker
Age
34
Meet the Panama National Team coaching staff, who play a vital role in preparing the squad for success on the international stage. Working behind the scenes, they support the team’s tactical development, physical conditioning, match preparation, and overall performance throughout World Cup 2026.
Thomas Christiansen
Head Coach
Birthday:
Mar 11, 1973
Nationality:
Spain/Denmark
Javi Sánchez Jara
Assistant Coach
Birthday:
Mar 31, 1969
Nationality:
Spain
Jorge Dely Valdés
Assistant Coach
Birthday:
Mar 12, 1967
Nationality:
Panama
Donaldo González
Goalkeeping Coach
Birthday:
Jan 14, 1971
Nationality:
Panama
Explore the latest Panama matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and stay updated on results, key moments, and standout player performances from every game.
Ghana vs Panama
1 : 0
Jun 18, 2026 • World Cup 2026
Toronto Stadium
South Africa vs Panama
1 : 2
Mar 31, 2026 • Friendlies
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
South Africa vs Panama
1 : 1
Mar 27, 2026 • Friendlies
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Panama vs Mexico
0 : 1
Jan 23, 2026 • Friendlies
Estadio Rommel Fernandez, Panama City
Bolivia vs Panama
1 : 1
Jan 18, 2026 • Friendlies
Estadio IV Centenario, Tarija
Panama vs El Salvador
3 : 0
Nov 19, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification CONCACAF
Estadio Rommel Fernandez, Panama City
Guatemala vs Panama
2 : 3
Nov 14, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification CONCACAF
Estadio Cementos Progreso, Guatemala City
Panama vs Suriname
1 : 1
Oct 15, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification CONCACAF
Estadio Rommel Fernandez, Panama City
El Salvador vs Panama
0 : 1
Oct 11, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification CONCACAF
Estadio Jorge Gonzalez, San Salvador
Panama vs Guatemala
1 : 1
Sep 9, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification CONCACAF
Estadio Rommel Fernandez, Panama City
Suriname vs Panama
0 : 0
Sep 4, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification CONCACAF
Franklin Essed Stadion, Paramaribo
Panama qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through a two-stage Concacaf campaign that combined a perfect second round with an unbeaten final round. Los Canaleros finished the second round with a 4–0–0 record, beating Guyana, Montserrat, Belize, and Nicaragua while conceding only once. In the final round, Panama topped Group A with 3 wins and 3 draws, finishing above El Salvador, Guatemala, and Suriname. The decisive step came in November, when Panama beat Guatemala 3–2 away and then defeated El Salvador 3–0 at home to secure direct qualification for their second World Cup.
Played
Qualification matches played
Won
Matches won
Drawn
Matches drawn
Lost
Matches lost
Goals For
Total goals scored
Goals Against
Total goals conceded
Goal Difference
GF minus GA
Points
3 per win, 1 per draw
Road to WC
Match | Date | MatchUp | Stadium | City | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jun 7, 2024 | Panama vs Guyana | Estadio Rommel Fernandez | Panama City | 2:0 |
2 | Jun 10, 2024 | Montserrat vs Panama | Estadio Nacional de Fútbol | Managua | 1:3 |
3 | Jun 8, 2025 | Belize vs Panama | FFB Field | Belmopan | 0:2 |
4 | Jun 11, 2025 | Panama vs Nicaragua | Estadio Rommel Fernandez | Panama City | 3:0 |
5 | Sep 4, 2025 | Suriname vs Panama | Franklin Essed Stadion | Paramaribo | 0:0 |
6 | Sep 9, 2025 | Panama vs Guatemala | Estadio Rommel Fernandez | Panama City | 1:1 |
7 | Oct 11, 2025 | El Salvador vs Panama | Estadio Jorge Gonzalez | San Salvador | 0:1 |
8 | Oct 15, 2025 | Panama vs Suriname | Estadio Rommel Fernandez | Panama City | 1:1 |
9 | Nov 14, 2025 | Guatemala vs Panama | Estadio Cementos Progreso | Guatemala City | 2:3 |
10 | Nov 19, 2025 | Panama vs El Salvador | Estadio Rommel Fernandez | Panama City | 3:0 |
Panama’s World Cup history is still young, but it already includes landmark breakthroughs and unforgettable firsts. Los Canaleros reached the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2018, turning years of near-misses into one of the greatest achievements in the nation’s football history. Their debut in Russia produced a defining moment when Felipe Baloy scored against England, giving Panama its first-ever World Cup goal and creating one of the most emotional scenes in the country’s sporting memory.
After missing out in 2022, Panama responded by qualifying again for 2026, showing that its first appearance was not a one-off. FIFA notes that Panama topped its final qualifying group to return to the global stage, adding a new chapter to a story built on growth and persistence.
The team’s World Cup identity has also been shaped by figures such as Felipe Baloy, Aníbal Godoy, and longtime captain Román Torres, whose leadership helped drive Panama into football history.
Panama have appeared at the FIFA World Cup once, in 2018, with 2026 set to be their second participation. Their return in 2026 confirmed that their first qualification was not a one-off.
Panama’s best World Cup finish is the group stage, reached in 2018.
Felipe Baloy is Panama’s top World Cup scorer with 1 goal. He scored the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal against England in 2018.
Several Panama players from the 2018 squad share the record for most World Cup matches played, with 3 appearances each, because Panama have only completed one tournament so far.
In 2018, Panama made their World Cup debut, becoming the 79th nation to play at the tournament. Another major milestone came in 2026, when they qualified again and returned to the global stage.
Adalberto Carrasquilla
Panama’s modern midfield star, Carrasquilla provides ball-winning, drive in transition, and the ability to change games with urgency and quality. A recognized top performer in CONCACAF, he is one of Panama’s most important difference-makers heading toward 2026.
Andrés Andrade
A strong, composed centre-back with top-level club experience, Andrade adds height, calm build-up passing, and defensive authority. His presence gives Panama stability against elite opponents and strengthens the current squad.
Aníbal Godoy
Long-time midfield anchor and national-team captain. Godoy controls tempo, provides defensive balance, and organizes transition play. He remains one of Panama’s most important leaders during the 2026 qualification cycle.
Édgar Bárcenas
One of Panama’s most technically gifted wide players. Bárcenas provides pace, acceleration, and creativity from the flanks and remains a primary attacking outlet in modern qualifiers.
José Luis Rodríguez
Explosive wide player known for speed and direct attacking runs. Rodríguez plays a key role in stretching defenses and remains a regular starter during World Cup qualifying.
Cecilio Waterman
A mobile forward contributing goals during recent qualification phases. Waterman leads Panama’s press from the front and provides movement, intensity, and finishing in the attacking line.
Román Torres
Captain of Panama’s historic 2018 World Cup squad and scorer of the decisive goal that secured qualification. A powerful central defender, Torres symbolized leadership, resilience, and national pride during Panama’s golden moment on the world stage.
Luis Tejada
Panama’s all-time record goalscorer and a decisive striker of the country’s rise in CONCACAF. Tejada delivered 43 goals in 108 caps, combined penalty-box instincts with big-match confidence, and became the benchmark for Panamanian finishing at international level.
Julio Dely Valdés
One of Panama’s classic-era icons, Dely Valdés gave the national team exceptional striker quality and international experience. With 44 caps and 18 goals, he represented Panama’s highest level in the 1990s–2000s, and later served as national-team head coach—making him a defining figure both on the pitch and on the touchline.
Jaime Penedo
Panama’s most important modern goalkeeper and a cornerstone of their rise to the World Cup stage. With 137 caps, Penedo provided tournament-level shot-stopping and leadership, starring across multiple Gold Cups (including Golden Glove awards) and starting at the 2018 World Cup to anchor Panama’s most historic era.
Follow Panama at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and discover where the team will play throughout the tournament. Explore the full match schedule, host cities, and stadiums set to stage some of the competition’s biggest moments. From group-stage fixtures to possible knockout-round drama, find everything you need to experience the action live at football’s biggest event.
Panama has appeared at the FIFA World Cup once before 2026 — 2018.
Panama has never reached a FIFA World Cup final.
Panama has never reached the knockout stage — their 2018 debut ended in the group stage.
Panama’s best World Cup finish so far is the group stage (2018).
Panama’s worst World Cup finish is the group stage (2018), since they’ve only appeared once before 2026.
Panama’s most familiar high-stakes matchups in the region are against teams like Costa Rica, Honduras, and the USA, built through frequent CONCACAF meetings and qualifying battles.
Panama qualified through CONCACAF qualification, securing their place on the final matchday with a 3–0 win over El Salvador, which moved them above Suriname in the standings.
Panama’s group-stage venues are set for Toronto and New York/New Jersey. They play Ghana in Toronto on June 17, 2026, then face Croatia in Toronto on June 23, 2026, and finish the group against England in New York/New Jersey on June 27, 2026.
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