Panama_national_football_team

Panama national football team

Panama national football team

National association football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Panama women's national football team.

The Panama national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Panamá) represents Panama in men's international football and is governed by the Panamanian Football Federation. The team represents all three FIFA, CONCACAF and the regional UNCAF.

Quick Facts Nickname(s), Association ...

Panama qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time for the 2018 tournament in Russia and scored their first goal of the World Cup against England, although they lost the match 6–1. They finished bottom of their group.[3][4]

Panama finished as runners-up at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2005,[5] 2013[6] and 2023, losing to the United States on the former two occasions and to Mexico in the latter. Panama has also competed in the sub-regional Copa Centroamericana which they won in 2009, beating Costa Rica in the final (0–0 on full-time, 5–3 on penalties). They finished in third place on three occasions (1993, 2011, 2014), and finished as runners-up behind Honduras in the 2017 edition, which they hosted.

The national team is nicknamed "Los Canaleros" (lit. 'The Canal Men'), in reference to the Panama Canal.

History

Before 21st century

2011 Gold Cup

In the 2011 Gold Cup, Panama was placed into Group C with Canada, United States, and Guadeloupe. They debuted with a 3–2 win over Guadeloupe. In the next match, they beat the United States 2–1. Then they tied 1–1 against Canada, winning their group for the first time in the Gold Cup. They played against El Salvador in the quarter-finals, beating them 5–3 on penalties. They played against the United States again, this time in the semi-finals, although they lost 1–0.

2013 Gold Cup

In the 2013 Gold Cup, Panama began with a 2–1 win over Mexico, with Gabriel Torres scoring both goals. In the second match, Panama beat Martinique 1–0 with Gabriel Torres scoring the only goal. With two victories, they secured their qualification to the knockout stages. Already being qualified, they tied 0–0 against Canada securing the first place in their group. They easily beat Cuba 6-1 and qualified for the semi-finals with Blas Pérez and Gabriel Torres scoring two goals each. They faced Mexico again in the semifinals and beat them 2–1 to advance to the final for the second time in the competition against the United States, which was their opponent in the 2005 final and beat them on penalties. The Panamanians could not get their revenge on them and lost 0–1 with a goal from Brek Shea.

2014 World Cup qualifying

Panama came close to advancing out of the fourth round of qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup. In their last match, which was against the United States, they led 2–1 after 90 minutes and were assured to advance to a play-off against New Zealand, but conceded two goals in stoppage time and were eliminated, with Mexico taking the playoff slot instead.[7]

2015 Gold Cup

In the 2015 Gold Cup, Panama was drawn into Group A, along with the United States, Haiti, and Honduras. All of their games were a 1–1 draws. However this was enough to advanced to the knockout stage as the best ranked third place. In the quarter-finals, they played against Trinidad and Tobago, drawing 1–1 after 90 minutes and defeating them 6–5 on penalties. They advanced to the semi-finals against Mexico; Roman Torres scored on behalf of Panama and Andres Guardado scored for Mexico. The first 90 minutes ended in a 1–1 draw; Panama was then defeated 2–1 in extra time after referee Mark Geiger gave Mexico a penalty, which Andres Guardado also scored. With this result, Panama earned the chance to play the third place playoff against the United States. The score was 1–1 after extra time and Panama won 3–2 on penalties, giving them third place. Mexico ended up defeating Jamaica in the final to crown themselves champions.

2018 World Cup qualifying

Four years after failing to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, Los Canaleros finally qualified for the World Cup after defeating Costa Rica 2−1 in their final qualifying match,[8] which meant that the United States, who lost to Trinidad and Tobago 2–1, failed to qualify for the first time since 1986.[9] Román Torres, who scored the winning goal in the 87th minute, was subsequently considered a national hero.[10] The day after the match, the President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela declared a national holiday to commemorate the achievement, stating on his Twitter profile: "The voice of the people has been heard... Tomorrow will be a national holiday".[11][12]

2018 World Cup

The national football team of Panama were drawn in Group G, together with European giants Belgium and England and the African side Tunisia.[13] Their debut World Cup match was against Belgium, on 18 June 2018. Los Canaleros initially held on, with the score 0–0 at half-time, before eventually suffering a 3–0 loss.[14][15] Six days later, Panama faced England, and this time succumbed to a 6–1 defeat; Felipe Baloy's late goal was the nation's first at a World Cup, but it was not enough to save them from elimination.[16] A 2–1 loss to Tunisia in their final game meant that Panama finished bottom of their group - and 32nd and last in the tournament overall - having lost all three of their games and conceded eleven goals.

Team image

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Results and fixtures

Main article: Panama national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

28 March 2022–23 Nations League Costa Rica  0–1  Panama San José, Costa Rica
20:00 UTC−6 Report
  • Fajardo 77'
 Stadium: Estadio Nacional
Referee: César Ramos (Mexico)
10 June Friendly Panama  3–2  Nicaragua Penonomé, Panama
19:00 UTC−5
Report
  • Talavera 44'
  • Acevedo 62'
 Stadium: Estadio Universidad Latina
Referee: David Gómez (Costa Rica)
15 June 2023 CONCACAF Nations League SF Panama  0–2  Canada Paradise, United States
16:00 UTC−7 Report
69'
 Stadium: Allegiant Stadium
Attendance: 65,000
Referee: Juan Gabriel Calderón (Costa Rica)
18 June 2023 CONCACAF Nations League 3rd Mexico  1–0  Panama Paradise, United States
15:00 PDT (UTC-07:00)
Report Stadium: Allegiant Stadium
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Daneon Parchment (Jamaica)
26 June 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup GS Costa Rica  1–2  Panama Fort Lauderdale, United States
20:30 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: DRV PNK Stadium
Attendance: 10,101
Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada)
30 June 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup GS Martinique  1–2  Panama Harrison, United States
18:30 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 22,615
Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)
4 July 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup GS Panama  2–2  El Salvador Houston, United States
19:30 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
Attendance: 20,002
Referee: Walter López (Guatemala)
8 July 2023 Gold Cup QF Panama  4–0  Qatar Arlington, United States
18:00 UTC−5
Report Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Attendance: 60,355
Referee: César Ramos (Mexico)
12 July 2023 Gold Cup SF United States  1–1
(4–5 p)		  Panama San Diego, United States
16:30 UTC−7
Report
Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
Attendance: 31,690
Referee: Walter López (Guatemala)
Penalties
16 July 2023 Gold Cup F Mexico  1–0  Panama Inglewood, United States
16:30 UTC−7
Report Stadium: SoFi Stadium
Attendance: 72,963
Referee: Said Martínez (Honduras)
27 August Friendly Bolivia  1–2  Panama Cochabamba, Bolivia
16:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Estadio Félix Capriles
Referee: Pablo Echavarría (Argentina)
7 September 2023–24 Nations League Panama  3–0  Martinique Panama City, Panama
19:00 UTC−5
Report Stadium: Estadio Rommel Fernández
Attendance: 3,145
Referee: Marco Ortiz (Mexico)
10 September 2023–24 Nations League Guatemala  1–1  Panama Guatemala City, Guatemala
18:00 UTC−6
Report
Stadium: Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores
Attendance: 18,313
Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)
13 October 2023–24 Nations League Curaçao  1–2  Panama Willemstad, Curaçao
17:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Ergilio Hato Stadium
Referee: Ismail Elfath (United States)
17 October 2023–24 Nations League Panama  3–0  Guatemala Panama City, Panama
20:00 UTC−5
Report Stadium: Estadio Rommel Fernández
Referee: Armando Villarreal (United States)
16 November 2023–24 Nations League QF Costa Rica  0–3  Panama San José, Costa Rica
21:00 UTC−6 Report
Stadium: Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá
Attendance: 17,787
Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
20 November 2023–24 Nations League QF Panama  3–1
(6–1 agg.)		  Costa Rica Panama City, Panama
21:00 UTC−5
Report Calvo 51' Stadium: Estadio Rommel Fernández
Attendance: 15,288
Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)

2024

21 March Nations League SF Panama  0–3  Mexico Arlington, United States
21:15 UTC−5 Report
Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Attendance: 40,926
Referee: Walter López (Guatemala)
24 March Nations League 3rd Panama  0–1  Jamaica Arlington, United States
17:00 UTC−5 Report
Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Referee: Tori Penso (United States)
6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Panama  v  Guyana Panama
TBD
9 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Montserrat  v  Panama Montserrat
TBD
12 June Friendly Paraguay  v  Panama Cincinnati, United States
--:-- UTC−3 Stadium: TQL Stadium
23 June 2024 Copa América Uruguay  v  Panama Miami Gardens, United States
21:00 UTC−4 Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium
27 June 2024 Copa América Panama  v  United States Atlanta, United States
18:00 UTC−4 Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
1 July 2024 Copa América Bolivia  v  Panama Orlando, United States
21:00 UTC−4 Stadium: Exploria Stadium

2025

7 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Belize  v  Panama Belize
TBD
10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Panama  v  Nicaragua Panama
TBD

Coaching staff

More information Position, Name ...

Managers

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals matches on 21 and 24 March 2024.[17]

Caps and goals correct as of 30 November 2023, after the match against Costa Rica.

More information No., Pos. ...

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the past year.

More information Pos., Player ...

Player records

As of 20 November 2023[18]
Players in bold are still active with Panama.

Most capped players

Gabriel Gómez is Panama's most capped player with 148 appearances.
More information Rank, Player ...

Top goalscorers

Luis Tejada is Panama's all-time top scorer with 43 goals.
More information Rank, Player ...

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

Main article: Panama at the FIFA World Cup
More information FIFA World Cup record, Qualification record ...
More information FIFA World Cup history, First Match ...

CONCACAF Gold Cup

Main article: Panama at the CONCACAF Gold Cup
More information CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record, Year ...
More information CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup history, First Match ...

CONCACAF Nations League

More information CONCACAF Nations League record, League ...
More information CONCACAF Nations League history, First Match ...

Copa América

Main article: Panama at the Copa América
More information Copa América record, Year ...
1 Ecuador 1993 was the first time nations from outside the CONMEBOL were invited.
2 United States 2016 was the first time nations from outside the CONMEBOL could qualify and host.

Copa Centroamericana

More information Copa Centroamericana record, Year ...

CCCF Championship

More information CCCF Championship record, Year ...

Head-to-head results

Updated as for 24 March 2024.

More information Opponent, Pld ...
  1. [N 1]
    Includes the results of  Netherlands Antilles.

Honours

FIFA World Ranking

See also: FIFA World Rankings

Last update was on 24 December 2022. Source:[19]

  Best Ranking    Worst Ranking    Best Mover    Worst Mover  

More information FIFA World Ranking History, Rank ...

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. [2]
    Barrie Courtney. "Panama – International Results". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  3. [3]
    "From agony to ecstasy: Panama's remarkable journey to the 2018 World Cup and a night they'll never forget". The Independent. 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  4. [4]
    "The wildest night in CONCACAF history? How the U.S. exit played out". ESPN. 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  5. [5]
    "CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2005". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  6. [6]
    "U.S. MNT Wins CONCACAF Gold Cup with 1-0 Victory against Panama". US Soccer. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  7. [7]
    "USA Saves Mexico From World Cup Elimination In The Most Unbelievable Night In North American Soccer History". Business Insider. 16 October 2013. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  8. [8]
    FIFA.com. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Panama-Costa Rica". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  9. [9]
    "Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 USA". BBC Sport. 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  10. [10]
    "Roman Torres: Panama's 'film star' footballer dreams of beating England at World Cup". BBC Sport. 24 March 2018. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  11. [11]
    "Panama gets holiday after World Cup win". BBC News. 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  12. [12]
    "National holiday in Panama as World Cup place sealed | Goal.com". Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  13. [13]
    "England get Belgium, Tunisia and Panama in World Cup draw". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  14. [14]
    FIFA.com. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Belgium - Panama". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  15. [15]
    Ducker, James; Bagchi, Rob (18 June 2018). "Romelu Lukaku double helps Belgium to winning World Cup start against Panama". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  16. [16]
    Rathborn, Jack (24 June 2018). "Panama fans wildly celebrate first ever World Cup goal vs England". The Mirror. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  17. [17]
    "LOS CONVOCADOS POR EL DT CHRISTIANSEN PARA EL FINAL FOUR 2024" (in Spanish). Panamanian Football Federation. 14 March 2024.
  18. [18]
    "Panama". National Football Teams.
  19. [19]
    "Panama in the FIFA World Ranking". Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
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