Panama’s World Cup journey continues
Panama’s World Cup journey continues
Panama is set to continue its World Cup 2026 campaign on Saturday against England at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This match marks Panama‘s second appearance in the World Cup, following their debut in 2018 where they lost all three group games, including a 6-1 defeat to England. An additional loss on Saturday would extend their losing streak to six consecutive World Cup matches, equalling a tournament record.
With an early elimination from the tournament, Panama‘s experienced squad, noted as both the oldest and most-capped at this World Cup, will be playing for pride. Several players could be pivotal if Panama aims to achieve an upset against England.
Key players for Panama
One of Panama‘s central figures is midfielder Adalberto ‘Coco’ Carrasquilla. The 27-year-old, who plays for UNAM in Mexico, is considered a crucial player for the team. He is known for his ability to control the tempo of the game, create attacking opportunities, and navigate tight spaces on the field. In 2024, Carrasquilla became the first Panamanian to be named Concacaf men’s player of the year. He has 3 goals for his national team.
Another significant player is central defender Jose Cordoba, aged 25, who plays for Norwich City. Cordoba, a left-footed defender, has become an important player for both his club and country. He achieved his first international goal in March, converting a rebound during a match against South Africa. Cordoba was a consistent presence when Panama reached the Copa America quarter-finals in 2024. He is known for his strength and recovery pace, having flourished since Philippe Clement took over as Norwich head coach in November. Cordoba moved to Norwich City two years ago after playing four seasons in Bulgaria, and he made his Panama debut in 2022.
Midfielder Cristian Martinez, 29, who plays for Kiryat Shmona in Israel, has also made an impact at this World Cup. Known as ‘El Fulo’ for his bleached hair, Martinez has demonstrated energy and tenacity. Despite not being a guaranteed starter before the tournament, he earned the Fifa man-of-the-match award in a World Cup game against Croatia. Head coach Thomas Christiansen praised Martinez‘s performance in that match. His recent displays have seen him return to a more advanced role, similar to his early career. Martinez has been a consistent presence for Panama.
Michael Amir Murillo, a 30-year-old wing-back for Besiktas, is another experienced member of the squad. Murillo was the only player in Panama‘s squad to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues until his departure from Marseille in February. He has been a regular starter for Panama since his debut a decade ago and participated in the 2018 World Cup match against England. Murillo has been a consistent presence for Panama.
Forward Cecilio Waterman, 35, who plays for Universidad de Concepcion in Chile, is a veteran presence. Waterman gained wider recognition for his celebration after scoring a stoppage-time winner against the USA in the Concacaf Nations League, where he embraced Thierry Henry. He has been a consistent squad member in recent years, competing for a starting position with Jose Fajardo. Waterman started against Ghana and came on as a substitute during the match against Croatia. He has been a consistent presence for Panama.
England fans travelling to the match can find assistance from the Free Lions Fans’ Embassy, which will be located at Central Park Tavern on West 57th Street near Columbus Circle in New York from midday to 5pm on Friday.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
