Panama at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Panama made their FIFA World Cup debut in 2018 in Russia, becoming the first Central American nation other than Costa Rica to qualify for the tournament in decades. They were drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, England, and Tunisia, finishing last in the group without winning a match. Their most celebrated moment of that tournament was Felipe Baloy's late goal against England, which made him Panama's first-ever World Cup scorer at the age of 37. The 2026 edition is their second World Cup appearance. Panama have never progressed beyond the group stage, making any advancement in 2026 a historic first.

Qualification

Panama qualified for the 2026 World Cup by finishing first in CONCACAF final round Group A with three wins and three draws from six matches. They secured their spot with a crucial 3-0 victory over El Salvador on November 18, 2025, which pipped Suriname to first place on the final matchday. Head coach Thomas Christiansen, a Danish-born former professional footballer of Spanish heritage who has been in charge since July 2020, guided the team through a demanding qualifying process that included an earlier second-round campaign with victories over Nicaragua, Guyana, Montserrat, and Belize.

Preparation

Panama began their World Cup preparations with a private training phase at the new High-Performance Center in Burunga, Arraijan, running until May 22, 2026. The official squad concentration started on May 24, and Thomas Christiansen announced his final 26-man roster on May 26. In their first pre-tournament friendly, Panama lost 6-2 away to Brazil at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro on May 31 (their goals from a Matheus Cunha own goal and a late Carlos Harvey strike), with Orlando Mosquera in goal as Luis Mejía (injured) and Adalberto Carrasquilla were absent. A farewell friendly against Dominican Republic at the Estadio Rommel Fernández is scheduled for June 3. Panama played friendlies against South Africa in March 2026, drawing 1-1 and winning 2-1. Their Group L opener is against Ghana on June 17 in Toronto.

Latest news

Brazil thrash Panama 6-2 in Maracana send-off friendly

· matches

In their first pre-World Cup friendly, Panama lost 6-2 to hosts Brazil at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on 31 May. Orlando Mosquera started in goal with Luis Mejia and Adalberto Carrasquilla absent. Panama's goals came from a Matheus Cunha own goal (14') and a late Carlos Harvey strike (84').

Mejia and Londono stay home as Panama travel to Brazil with 23

· injuries

Panama departed for the Brazil friendly with a 23-man group, leaving out three of the World Cup 26. Goalkeeper Luis Mejia was ruled out injured, while Adalberto Carrasquilla and Azarias Londono remained in Panama to continue their conditioning. Kadir Barria, Jorge Gutierrez and Jiovany Ramos joined the group directly in Rio.

Goalkeeper Luis Mejia suffers right-hamstring tear days after WC call-up

· injuries

Club Nacional confirmed Luis Mejia tore his right hamstring (isquiotibial) during their Copa Libertadores match against Coquimbo Unido on 26 May, just after his World Cup call-up. Reports from Uruguay describe it as a minor strain from fixture build-up; he travelled to Panama to recover and remains in the 26, but his fitness is now in doubt. No replacement has been called up.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Luis MejíaGKClub Nacional
César SamudioGKCD Marathón
Orlando MosqueraGKAl-Fayha
Éric DavisDFPlaza Amador
César BlackmanDFSlovan Bratislava
José CórdobaDFNorwich City
Roderick MillerDFTuran Tovuz
Andrés AndradeDFLASK
Michael MurilloDFBeşiktaş
Jiovany RamosDFAcademia Puerto Cabello
Jorge GutiérrezDFDeportivo La Guaira
Fidel EscobarDFDeportivo Saprissa
Edgardo FariñaDFPari Nizhny Novgorod
Aníbal GodoyMFSan Diego FC
Édgar BárcenasMFMazatlán FC
Adalberto CarrasquillaMFUNAM Pumas
Cristian MartínezMFIroni Kiryat Shmona
Carlos HarveyMFMinnesota United
José Luis RodríguezMFFC Juárez
Alberto QuinteroMFCD Plaza Amador
Azarías LondoñoMFUniversidad Católica
Cecilio WatermanFWUniversidad de Concepción
Ismael DíazFWClub León
José FajardoFWUniversidad Católica
César YanisFWCobresal
Tomás RodríguezFWDeportivo Saprissa

Recent results

  • 2024-06-06 — PAN 2-0 GUY (qualification)
  • 2024-06-09 — MSR 1-3 PAN (qualification)
  • 2024-06-16 — PAN 0-1 PAR (friendly)
  • 2024-10-12 — USA 2-0 PAN (friendly)
  • 2024-10-15 — CAN 2-1 PAN (friendly)
  • 2025-02-08 — CHI 6-1 PAN (friendly)
  • 2025-06-07 — BLZ 0-2 PAN (qualification)
  • 2025-06-10 — PAN 3-0 NCA (qualification)
  • 2025-09-04 — SUR 0-0 PAN (qualification)
  • 2025-09-08 — PAN 1-1 GUA (qualification)
  • 2025-10-10 — SLV 0-1 PAN (qualification)
  • 2025-10-14 — PAN 1-1 SUR (qualification)
  • 2025-11-13 — GUA 2-3 PAN (qualification)
  • 2025-11-18 — PAN 3-0 SLV (qualification)
  • 2026-01-18 — BOL 1-1 PAN (friendly)
  • 2026-01-22 — PAN 0-1 MEX (friendly)
  • 2026-03-27 — RSA 1-1 PAN (friendly)
  • 2026-03-31 — RSA 1-2 PAN (friendly)

Predict Group L →