Adalberto Carrasquilla
The star man. The Pumas UNAM midfielder is the creative centre of the team and widely regarded as one of the best in CONCACAF. If Panama are to surprise anyone in Group L, much will run through "Coco" and his passing.
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Team Guide · 2026 World Cup
Panama at the 2026 World Cup
Los Canaleros are back. Panama have reached a World Cup for the second time, eight years after their emotional 2018 debut, and they arrive in far better shape. Under Danish-Spanish coach Thomas Christiansen, Panama tore through CONCACAF qualifying, winning all four games in the first group stage and topping their final round. Captain Anibal Godoy, the country's record cap-holder, leads a side whose creative heartbeat is Adalberto Carrasquilla, widely rated among the best midfielders in the region, with Ismael Diaz and Jose Fajardo carrying the goals. Drawn into a tough Group L with England, Croatia and Ghana, this is the squad, the qualification story, the fixtures, and the hunt for a first ever World Cup win.
L
Group
2nd
World Cup
2018
Debut
26
Squad
Back for a second time. Thomas Christiansen's Panama came through CONCACAF qualifying in style, winning every game of the first group stage and finishing top of their final round. Captained by record cap-holder Anibal Godoy and inspired by playmaker Adalberto Carrasquilla, Panama open against Ghana at BMO Field in Toronto on 17 June before facing Croatia in Toronto and England at MetLife Stadium.
The Key Players
The spine of Christiansen's Panama
Panama are a well-organised, experienced side with a genuine creative talent at its heart. These are the names the campaign turns on.
Anibal Godoy
The leader. At 36, the San Diego FC midfielder is Panama's record cap-holder with more than 150 appearances. He sits in front of the defence, breaks up play and sets the tone for a disciplined side.
Ismael Diaz
The goal threat. A sharp, mobile forward, Diaz has become one of Panama's most reliable sources of goals and the kind of finisher who can punish the rare chances a team like this creates against bigger sides.
Michael Murillo
The flank weapon. An athletic, attacking full-back with European experience, Murillo provides pace and overlapping runs down the right, one of Panama's main outlets in transition.
Jose Fajardo
The hero of qualifying. Fajardo delivered some of Panama's biggest moments on the road to 2026, a striker with a knack for decisive goals when the stakes are highest.
Thomas Christiansen
The architect. The Danish-Spanish coach has built a structured, confident Panama, overseeing a near-flawless qualifying campaign and sticking with the experienced core that got the country back to the World Cup.
The Squad
Panama's 26-man squad by position
Thomas Christiansen leaned on experience, sticking closely to the core that drove qualification. Carrasquilla was included despite a groin problem picked up in the Liga MX final days before the announcement, and veteran winger Alberto Quintero, ruled out of 2018 by a cruel injury, finally gets his World Cup. Below is the full squad by position; club listings can shift over the summer window.
Goalkeepers
3 in the squad
- Orlando Mosquera
- Luis Mejia
- Cesar Samudio
Defenders
10 in the squad
- Michael MurilloBesiktas
- Jose CordobaNorwich City
- Cesar BlackmanSlovan Bratislava
- Fidel EscobarDeportivo Saprissa
- Andres AndradeLASK
- Eric DavisCD Plaza Amador
- Roderick MillerTuran Tovuz
- Jorge GutierrezDeportivo La Guaira
- Edgardo FarinaPari Nizhny Novgorod
- Jiovani RamosAcademia Puerto Cabello
Midfielders
9 in the squad
- Anibal GodoyCaptain
- Adalberto CarrasquillaPumas UNAM
- Carlos HarveyMinnesota United
- Cristian MartinezIroni Kiryat Shmona
- Jose Luis RodriguezFC Juarez
- Cesar YanisCobresal
- Yoel BarcenasMazatlan
- Alberto QuinteroCD Plaza Amador
- Azarias LondonoUniversidad Catolica
Forwards
4 in the squad
- Ismael DiazClub Leon
- Cecilio WatermanU. de Concepcion
- Jose FajardoUniversidad Catolica
- Tomas RodriguezDeportivo Saprissa
Christiansen's group is built on a strong defensive spine, with Norwich City's Jose Cordoba and a back line shielded by captain Anibal Godoy. The creativity comes from Carrasquilla, the width from Michael Murillo, and the goals are shared between Ismael Diaz and Jose Fajardo. It is a squad heavy on caps and tournament know-how, exactly the profile Panama need against Group L's heavyweights. Club listings can change over the summer window.
The Calls
The story behind the squad
Three threads define Panama's 2026 campaign: a confident return, a near-perfect qualifying run, and the record they are chasing.
Second Time Around
No longer debutants. Eight years after the tears of 2018, Panama are back, and this time they arrive as a more settled, more experienced and more confident team.
Four From Four
The statement. Panama won all four games of the first CONCACAF group stage and went unbeaten to top their final round, qualifying with room to spare under Thomas Christiansen.
A First World Cup Win
The holy grail. Panama lost all three games in 2018, with Felipe Baloy's goal against England the lone bright spot. The class of 2026 want the country's first ever World Cup victory.
Group L
The group and the fixtures
Panama were drawn into a daunting Group L with England, Croatia and Ghana. England are the seeds and favourites, and Croatia were 2022 semi-finalists and 2018 finalists, so Panama and Ghana are the outsiders. The opener against Ghana is the pivotal game for Los Canaleros. Two of the three matches are at BMO Field in Toronto, with the finale against England at MetLife Stadium.
Ghana vs Panama
Wed 17 Jun 2026
Panama vs Croatia
Tue 23 Jun 2026
Panama vs England
Sat 27 Jun 2026
The opener against Ghana is effectively a must-win if Panama are to have any hope of progressing, before tougher tests against Croatia and England. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, and read our guides to Group L rivals England, Croatia and Ghana.
The Ceiling
How far can Panama go?
Panama are clear outsiders in a brutal group, but they have reasons to believe they can spring a surprise:
- A genuine creator. Adalberto Carrasquilla is good enough to unlock any defence, the rare individual who can produce a moment of quality at this level.
- Experience and organisation. Godoy, Murillo, Davis and the veteran core have been here before, and Christiansen's side defends as a unit.
- Goals in the squad. Ismael Diaz and Jose Fajardo give Panama a real cutting edge, proven at qualifying level.
- The format helps. With the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing, even a single win could keep Panama alive into the knockouts.
- The question. The gap to England and Croatia is significant, and Panama cannot afford to drop points against Ghana in the opener.
England are favourites to win the group and Croatia have the pedigree to join them. Panama's tournament likely hinges on the Ghana game: win that, and a first ever World Cup victory could open the door to a historic run at the new round of 32.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Who is Panama's coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Thomas Christiansen is Panama's head coach. The Danish-Spanish coach guided Los Canaleros through CONCACAF qualifying and named a 26-man squad built around the experienced core that secured the country's second World Cup appearance.
Who is Panama's captain at the 2026 World Cup?
Anibal Godoy captains Panama. The 36-year-old midfielder, who plays for San Diego FC in MLS, is the country's record cap-holder with more than 150 appearances and the leader of the team.
Is this Panama's first World Cup?
No. The 2026 World Cup is Panama's second appearance. Their debut came at Russia 2018, where they lost all three group games but scored their first ever World Cup goal through Felipe Baloy against England.
How did Panama qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Panama came through CONCACAF qualifying in emphatic style under Thomas Christiansen, winning all four games in the first group stage and finishing top of their final round to book their place at a second World Cup.
What group are Panama in at the 2026 World Cup?
Panama are in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Ghana. England are the seeds and favourites, Croatia were 2022 semi-finalists and 2018 finalists, so Panama are clear outsiders alongside Ghana.
What are Panama's group fixtures at the 2026 World Cup?
Panama open against Ghana on 17 June at BMO Field in Toronto, then face Croatia on 23 June at the same venue, and finish against England on 27 June at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Who are Panama's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Anibal Godoy anchors the team, with Pumas UNAM playmaker Adalberto Carrasquilla the creative star. Ismael Diaz and Jose Fajardo carry the goal threat, and full-back Michael Murillo offers attacking thrust.
Did Panama win a game at the 2018 World Cup?
No. Panama lost all three group games at Russia 2018, against Belgium, England and Tunisia. Their highlight was Felipe Baloy's goal against England, the country's first at a World Cup. A first World Cup win is the target in 2026.
Is Adalberto Carrasquilla fit for the 2026 World Cup?
Carrasquilla picked up a groin problem in the Liga MX final shortly before the squad was announced, but Thomas Christiansen included the Pumas UNAM midfielder anyway, reflecting how central he is to the team.
Can Panama get out of the group in 2026?
It would be historic. Panama have never won a World Cup match. With England and Croatia strong favourites in Group L, Los Canaleros need to beat Ghana and lean on the eight best third-placed spots to have a chance of reaching the new round of 32.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Panama are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
England Squad
Panama's Group L seeds and the favourites, Harry Kane and a confirmed 26-man squad chasing the trophy.
Read the England guide ›Ghana Squad
Panama's pivotal opening opponents, the Black Stars and their young new era.
Read the Ghana guide ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to Panama.
Open the schedule ›Superstars to Watch
The top players at the 2026 World Cup, from Group L's biggest names to the tournament's brightest stars.
View the superstars ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm Panama's squad, coach, qualification, group and fixtures:
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