Belief, Not Gratitude
Panama 2026 World Cup guide: Christiansen’s squad, captain Anibal Godoy, Carrasquilla, Murillo, tactics, Group L fixtures and predictions for Los Canaleros.
Panama
Los Canaleros · CONCACAF · Group L
Everything at a glance
- Nickname
- Los Canaleros "The Canal Men" · also La Marea Roja ("The Red Tide")
- Confederation
- CONCACAF Central America
- FIFA Ranking
- 32nd as of April 2026 — rankings shift before kickoff
- Head Coach
- Thomas Christiansen Danish-born ex-Spain international · longest-serving coach in Panama history
- Captain
- Anibal Godoy Panama's all-time appearance record holder
- WC Appearances
- 2nd First appearance: 2018
- Best Finish
- Group stage 2018 — lost all three matches
- Group
- Group L ENG · CRO · GHA · PAN
Panama are the plucky outsiders of Group L, returning to the World Cup for only the second time in their history.
Panama are the plucky outsiders of Group L, returning to the World Cup for only the second time in their history. Their first appearance, at Russia 2018, was a landmark moment for the small Central American nation — a footballing fairytale that ended without a point but produced an unforgettable milestone when Felipe Baloy scored Panama’s first-ever World Cup goal in a heavy defeat to England.
Eight years on, this is a more battle-hardened side. Led by the experienced Danish-born coach Thomas Christiansen — a former Spain international and the longest-serving manager in Panama’s history — Los Canaleros have grown into a genuine CONCACAF force, reaching the 2023 Gold Cup final and a 2025 Nations League final. Captained by record cap-holder Anibal Godoy, this experienced squad arrives with belief rather than mere gratitude.
Captained by record cap-holder Anibal Godoy, this experienced squad arrives with belief rather than mere gratitude.
Panama embody the romance of the expanded World Cup
Panama embody the romance of the expanded World Cup: a small nation getting a second shot at the global stage and determined not to waste it. The narrative arc since 2018 is compelling — from a debutant that lost every game to a team that has reached major regional finals and is no longer content to merely participate.
Their fate is laced with poetic symmetry. Panama’s final group game is against England — the very team that thrashed them 6–1 in 2018. The chance for redemption against the same opponent, on a far bigger stage, gives their campaign a built-in storyline. With a deeply experienced spine and a long-serving coach, Panama are the kind of organised underdog that can spring a surprise.
The Ghana game is the season-defining match
Panama are the clear outsiders in Group L, ranked well below England and Croatia. The expanded 48-team format, where the four best third-placed teams advance, offers a slim but real lifeline. Their realistic target is the match against Ghana on June 17 in Toronto — likely the game that defines whether they can compete for a knockout spot.
The realistic ambition
For Panama, simply being competitive and avoiding the winless, pointless return of 2018 would mark progress. A win — their first-ever at a World Cup — would be a historic achievement, and sneaking into the round of 32 would be a national triumph.
Christiansen’s provisional squad
Based on Christiansen’s announced 26-man squad and reporting; likely starters marked. Some clubs reflect recent moves and should be reconfirmed.
Goalkeepers
3- Orlando Mosquera
- Luis Mejia
- Cesar Samudio
Defenders
10- Cesar Blackman
- Jorge Gutierrez
- Amir Murillo
- Fidel Escobar
- Andres Andrade
- Edgardo Farina
- Jose Cordoba
- Eric Davis
- Jiovany Ramos
- Roderick Miller
Midfielders
9- Anibal Godoy
- Adalberto Carrasquilla
- Carlos Harvey
- Cristian Martinez
- Jose Luis Rodriguez
- Cesar Yanis
- Yoel Barcenas
- Alberto Quintero
- Azarias Londono
Forwards
4- Ismael Diaz
- Cecilio Waterman
- Jose Fajardo
- Tomas Rodriguez
★ Likely starters. Several individual clubs and the precise starting XI could not be fully verified for every player, and Carrasquilla’s fitness was uncertain at announcement. Treat squad specifics as provisional pending the final list. GK and forward personnel have not been individually named in available reporting.
The names that decide it
Panama’s record cap-holder and undisputed leader — a tough, experienced presence who anchors the side and sets the tone. The 36-year-old has made around 159 appearances, more than any player in Panama’s history.
Known as “Coco,” Panama’s creative engine and chief playmaker. Named the 2023 Gold Cup’s best player, his vision and passing unlock the team. He is fully fit and ready for 2026 World Cup matches.
The squad’s most seasoned performer in elite European football, having spent time with Anderlecht and Marseille. He adds attacking impetus from wing-back and is among the few Panamanians with top European league experience.
Panama rely on hard-working, opportunistic forwards to convert limited chances on the counter. Confirm starting striker before kickoff. Panama’s attack thrives on transition and set-pieces rather than sustained possession.
Breakout Player
A younger squad member stepping up. With an experience-heavy core, Panama’s breakout candidate is most likely a younger attacker or midfielder handed a tournament platform by Christiansen. The standout chance falls to whichever fresh face can inject pace and fearlessness alongside the veterans — exactly the kind of player who can become a national hero with one decisive moment. (Specific name to confirm from the final 26.)
Most Underrated Player
Amir Murillo (Besiktas) — overlooked outside CONCACAF, Murillo’s European pedigree, defensive reliability and attacking thrust from wing-back make him arguably Panama’s most complete player. In a side built on graft, his quality on both flanks could be the difference in a tight group match.
Organised, disciplined and pragmatic — Christiansen’s clear identity
Under Thomas Christiansen, Panama are organised, disciplined and pragmatic. Expect a compact defensive block, deep lines against superior opponents, and a reliance on counter-attacks, set-pieces and the leadership of Godoy and Carrasquilla. Christiansen’s long tenure has instilled a clear identity and team cohesion that punches above the squad’s individual quality. The trade-off is limited creativity in sustained attack against deep blocks; Panama are at their best when defending a structure and breaking at speed.
By the numbers
Attack: Reliant on transitions, set-pieces and moments rather than sustained pressure. Midfield: Carrasquilla’s creativity and Godoy’s leadership are genuine assets. Defense: Organised and experienced — the foundation of any positive result.
Goalkeeping: Steady but untested against the world’s elite attacks. Depth: Thinner than the group’s heavyweights, leaning on a veteran core. Experience: A seasoned squad and a long-serving coach who knows the group inside out. Spirited and well-drilled underdogs whose ceiling is a shock result.
Panama’s World Cup story is short but emotional — and the second chapter starts now.
Panama’s World Cup story is short but emotional. Their debut at Russia 2018 followed a famous qualifying campaign that ended in national celebration. The tournament itself was a brutal lesson at the elite level: a 3–0 loss to Belgium, a 6–1 defeat to England — brightened only by Felipe Baloy’s late goal, the nation’s first-ever at a World Cup — and a 2–1 loss to Tunisia. Panama finished bottom of their group and last in the tournament, conceding eleven goals across three games. The 2026 edition is their chance to write a far more competitive chapter, and to claim a maiden World Cup point or even a first win.
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2018
World Cup debut — Baloy’s historic goal
Russia 2018: lost 3–0 to Belgium, 6–1 to England (Baloy scored Panama’s first-ever World Cup goal), and 2–1 to Tunisia. Finished last of all 32 teams, conceding eleven goals.
The grass remembers everything
Baloy’s historic goal
Felipe Baloy scored Panama’s first-ever World Cup goal in their 6–1 loss to England in 2018.
Last of all 32 teams
Panama finished last (32nd) of all teams at the 2018 World Cup, losing all three games.
Godoy’s record caps
Captain Anibal Godoy is Panama’s all-time appearance record holder.
Christiansen the Bundesliga scorer
Coach Thomas Christiansen was a Bundesliga top scorer with Bochum in 2002–03 and played for Spain.
Longest-serving coach
Christiansen is the longest-serving head coach in Panama’s history.
Back-to-back major finals
Panama reached the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final and the 2025 Nations League final.
Carrasquilla — best player
Adalberto Carrasquilla was named the best player of the 2023 Gold Cup.
A 2018 rematch to close
Panama open their 2026 campaign against Ghana in Toronto and close against England in New Jersey — a 2018 rematch.
Four reasons to tune in
- Underdog romance — a small nation chasing its first-ever World Cup win and point.
- The England rematch — redemption beckons against the side that beat them 6–1 in 2018.
- Passionate support — “La Marea Roja” brings colour, noise and emotion to every match.
- Giant-killer potential — a well-drilled, experienced side that can frustrate the favourites.
Spirited group-stage campaign — a first-ever World Cup win is the realistic ambition, with knockout qualification a long shot.
Panama are the outsiders to qualify from Group L. Their season hinges on the opener against Ghana — a result there could keep alive hopes of a best-third-place finish in the expanded format. More likely, Panama will be competitive but fall short of the knockout rounds, with a maiden World Cup win or point representing genuine success. Projected: spirited group-stage campaign; a first-ever World Cup win is the realistic ambition, with knockout qualification a long shot.
