The Panama national team, known as "Los Canaleros" (The Canal Men), is one of the most combative, physically resilient, and fast counter-attacking teams in the CONCACAF region. After their historic debut in 2018, Panama returns to the World Cup more experienced and aims to maximize the home-continent advantage in the 2026 tournament.
Despite a tough qualifying campaign, the team showed quality at decisive moments. Victories over Guatemala and El Salvador in November 2025 secured their ticket to the expanded 48-team tournament.
Oxu.Az takes a look at Panama's football past, present, and expectations for 2026.
Panama's faith and patience in Thomas Christiansen were rewarded with this historic qualification. Appointed head coach in July 2020 after stints at Leeds United and Union Saint-Gilloise, Christiansen faced early challenges. The team failed to advance past the group stage at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and lost 5-1 to the USA in the penultimate round of World Cup qualifying, ending their hopes for 2022.
However, the Panamanian Football Federation maintained confidence in Christiansen, and since then, the team has shown positive results. They reached the semifinals of the Nations League in 2023 and 2024, and advanced to the finals of both the Gold Cup and Nations League.
Along the way, young players like Carlos Harvey and Adalberto Carrasquilla began to shine in Christiansen's system, while veterans such as Cecilio Waterman, Aníbal Godoy, and Alberto Quintero remained the backbone of the team.
Panama's Last World Cup
Panama's only previous World Cup appearance was in Russia 2018, where they were placed in Group G alongside Belgium, England, and Tunisia. They lost 3-0 to eventual semifinalists Belgium in their opening match.
Next up was England; the "Three Lions" won 6-1, but Felipe Baloy scored Panama's first ever World Cup goal, making history.
An own goal by Tunisia gave the Central Americans their second goal of the tournament, but it was not enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat.
How Did Panama Qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Panama topped Group A in the third round of CONCACAF qualifying, securing a spot in the expanded tournament featuring 48 teams.
After confidently passing the second round with wins over Nicaragua, Guyana, Montserrat, and Belize, Panama faced difficulties in the third round alongside developing Suriname and other Central American sides El Salvador and Guatemala.
They started the round with draws away to Suriname and at home to Guatemala, but then earned a full three points away to El Salvador. Needing a last-minute goal to salvage a point at home against Suriname, the team finished the round in style. After breaking Guatemala's strong resistance away and beating El Salvador at home, Panama overtook Suriname in the final round to top the group.
Panama's Match Schedule for WC 2026 (Baku Time)
Panama will compete in Group L against England, Croatia, and Ghana.
Group L:
June 18, 03:00, Ghana vs Panama (Toronto Stadium);
June 24, 03:00, Panama vs Croatia (Toronto Stadium);
June 28, 01:00, Panama vs England (New Jersey Stadium).
Panama's Most Prolific World Cup Player
Former defender Felipe Baloy's goal against England put him at the top of Panama's list of most accurate players in World Cup history. In the 78th minute of that match, Baloy headed in a free kick from Ricardo Ávila, bringing immense joy to the Panamanian fans at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
Panama's Players with Most World Cup Appearances
In 2018, seven players featured in all three matches: Jaime Penedo, Román Torres, Fidel Escobar, Gabriel Gómez, Aníbal Godoy, Edgar Bárcenas, and José Luis Rodríguez.
Memorable World Cup Moments for Panama
While Baloy's goal will live forever in Panama's history, the most cherished memory for the players is the playing of the national anthem before their opening match against Belgium. For the first time at a World Cup, the Panamanian anthem was played, and players, coaches, and fans alike could not hold back their tears.
The Panamanian national team is not going to this World Cup just as participants. They are no longer the inexperienced team of 2018 and aim to cause a major surprise by advancing to the knockout stages on home soil. Led by Carrasquilla and Murillo, can Panama advance from the group?
