Nation dossier · Group L · In contention
Panama
Republic of Panama
Up next Panama v England · Group L
Title probability
0.0%
as of 2026-06-25
Overview
Panama arrive at their second-ever World Cup with a hardened, experienced core and genuine belief they belong on the biggest stage. Having narrowly missed Qatar 2022, Los Canaleros have rebuilt around a spine of European and MLS-based players who relish the CONCACAF grind.
Under a pragmatic, well-drilled setup, Panama have become tough to break down and dangerous on transitions. Captain Aníbal Godoy anchors a side blending veteran nous with rising talents like José Córdoba.
Ambition is realistic but real: escape the group and make history as a small nation punching above its weight.
Capital
Panama City
Population
4,400,000
Confederation
CONCACAF
FIFA code
PAN
From Wikipedia
Republic of Panama fields one of the 48 national teams contesting the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Source: Wikipedia →Squad
- 135caps
Orlando Mosquera
Sporting de Gijón · Reliable shot-stopping number one
- 1212caps
José Calderón
CAI · Domestic league veteran keeper
- 2240caps
Luis Mejía
Universidad Católica · Experienced backup option
- 270caps
Michael Murillo
Olympique de Marseille · Marauding attacking right-back
- 365caps
Fidel Escobar
Al-Wakrah · Aggressive ball-winning center-back
- 445caps
Andrés Andrade
Atlético Nacional · Composed defensive anchor
- 530caps
Carlos Harvey
Minnesota United · Versatile MLS defender
- 685caps
Eric Davis
DAC Dunajská Streda · Set-piece left-back specialist
- 1328caps
César Blackman
Cracovia · Pacey overlapping full-back
- 1535caps
José Córdoba
Norwich City · Towering young center-back
- 1640caps
Roderick Miller
Sporting San Miguelito · Experienced defensive rock
- 765caps
Edgar Bárcenas
Mazatlán · Tricky left-sided playmaker
- 855caps
Adalberto Carrasquilla
Houston Dynamo · Creative central engine
- 1060caps
Cristian Martínez
Aris Limassol · Tireless box-to-box runner
- 1140caps
Ismael Díaz
León · Direct attacking dribbler
- 1750caps
Yoel Bárcenas
Sporting San Miguelito · Wide creative spark
- 1815caps
Cristian Báez
Tauro FC · Energetic young midfielder
- 20110caps
Aníbal Godoy
Nashville SC · Captain and midfield metronome
- 925caps
Ismael Díaz Jr.
León · Clinical penalty-box finisher
- 1420caps
Eduardo Guerrero
Tauro FC · Powerful aerial presence
- 1935caps
José Fajardo
Plaza Amador · Hard-working target striker
- 2130caps
Cecilio Waterman
Coquimbo Unido · Pacey lethal counter threat
- 2312caps
Tomás Rodríguez
Sporting San Miguelito · Promising young forward prospect
Model
as of 2026-06-25Exp. points
0.22
Proj. finish
40.4
Seed Elo
1620
Title-probability trajectory
Champion chance across the last 14 snapshots
Matches
History
2022
Did not qualify / Group stage
Culture
Football culture
Football's rise has been meteoric since qualification for Russia 2018 turned the country football-mad overnight. The national team commands fierce loyalty, with raucous crowds at Estadio Rommel Fernández. Players who break into Europe become instant national heroes.
Did you know
- The Panama Canal handles around 5% of all world maritime trade.
- Qualification for 2018 was declared a national holiday by the president.
- Panama uses the US dollar alongside its own balboa currency.
- Roberto Durán, a Panamanian, is one of boxing's greatest legends.
- Panama is one of the few places you can watch the sun rise on the Pacific and set on the Atlantic.