Thomas Christiansen Reveals Panama Squad for 2026 World Cup Draw

The Panama national football team is gearing up for the 2026 World Cup as head coach Thomas Christiansen shares the squad’s latest selection. This tournament marks Panama’s second appearance in World Cup history, following their debut in 2018.

Thomas Christiansen’s Leadership

Under the guidance of Danish coach Thomas Christiansen, Panama has experienced a strong qualification campaign. The team finished ahead of Suriname after winning all matches in the first CONCACAF group stage. They also remained unbeaten in the subsequent stage, showcasing impressive form throughout 2025.

Panama’s World Cup History

In their first World Cup in 2018, Panama faced tough competition, losing all three of their group matches against Belgium, England, and Tunisia. Despite these defeats, the team made history by scoring two World Cup goals.

Recent Performances

Panama’s recent competitive outings have been promising. They ended 2025 unbeaten in their last 12 matches, although a penalty shoot-out loss to Honduras at the Gold Cup marked a rare setback.

Squad Overview

The squad selected for the upcoming World Cup includes a wealth of experience. Notably, players Alberto Quintero and Anibal Godoy are senior members, each surpassing 150 international caps. Quintero leads with 140 caps, while Godoy is captain, demonstrating significant leadership on the field.

Key Players

• Anibal Godoy: Midfielder and captain, known for his extensive experience in Major League Soccer.
• Alberto Quintero: Key player with a remarkable history of caps.
• Eric Davis: Another centurion, showcasing versatility and strength in defense.

Panama’s Squad for the 2026 World Cup

• Goalkeepers:
  • Luis Mejia (Nacional)
  • Cesar Samudio (Marathon)
  • Orlando Mosquera (Al-Fayha)
• Defenders:
  • Cesar Blackman (Slovan Bratislava)
  • Ivan Anderson (Marathon)
  • Fidel Escobar (Saprissa)
  • Edgardo Farina (Pari Nizhny Novgorod)
  • Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United)
  • Eric Davis (Plaza Amador)
  • Andres Andrade (LASK)
  • Jorge Gutierrez (Deportivo La Guaira)
  • Jiovany Ramos (Puerto Cabello)
• Midfielders:
  • Cristian Martinez (Ironi Kiryat Shmona)
  • Jose Rodriguez (Juarez)
  • Adalberto Carrasquilla (UNAM)
  • Ismael Diaz (Leon)
  • Azarias Londono (Universidad Catolica)
  • Edward Cedeno (Las Palmas)
  • Alberto Quintero (Plaza Amador)
  • Anibal Godoy (San Diego)
  • Omar Browne (Estudiantes de Merida)
  • Jovani Welch (Monagas)
• Forwards:
  • Tomas Rodriguez (Monagas)
  • Jose Fajardo (Universidad Catolica)
  • Cecilio Waterman (Coquimbo Unido)

Upcoming Fixtures

Panama’s preparation includes several matches leading up to the World Cup, demonstrating their competitive edge. Key fixtures include:

• November 18: Panama 3-0 El Salvador
• November 13: Guatemala 2-3 Panama
• October 14: Panama 1-1 Suriname

As they look toward the 2026 World Cup, Panama aims to build on their previous experiences and enter the tournament with confidence and determination, under the watchful eye of Thomas Christiansen.