Panama
Pure-joy underdogs, just here to scrap
Lost all three games in 2018 and cried tears of joy anyway — now they grabbed their first-ever WC point.
Watchability3/5
Drama4/5
Star power2/5
Title shot1/5
Team rating
72TEAM
- Attack70
- Midfield72
- Defense73
Next matches
- Next upvs CroatiaBMO Field, TorontoJun 23
- vs EnglandMetLife Stadium, East RutherfordJun 27
The read
Panama, a Central American nation of about four million, reached its first World Cup only in 2018 — lost all three games and cried tears of joy anyway, because just being there was the miracle. This is their second tournament, and they opened it by out-playing Ghana to a 0-0 draw and earning their first-ever World Cup point. Root for them if you love an story with no cynicism in it at all.
The fan’s readLost all three games in 2018 and cried tears of joy anyway — now back, out-playing Ghana for their first-ever World Cup point. story with zero cynicism, impossible not to love.
The cast
- Thomas ChristiansenDanish-Spanish former striker who pulled Panama up the rankings and into a second World Cupmanager
- Adalberto Carrasquilla ★The 2024 CONCACAF Player of the Year — Panama's attack lives or dies on his time on the ball.ClubUNAM Pumas
- Anibal GodoyPanama's most-capped player ever, 36, captaining the side — this is the end of something.ClubSan Diego FC
- Amir MurilloThe most recognizable Panamanian in Europe, attacking relentlessly down the right.ClubBesiktas
- Cecilio WatermanPanama's most likely source of the underdog goal that breaks the internet.ClubUniversidad de Concepcion
Key moments
- 20172017 — the ghost goalPanama reached their first-ever World Cup thanks to a goal against Costa Rica that replays suggest never crossed the line — given anyway by the referee. It sent Panama through, knocked the United States out, and prompted the president to declare a national holiday.
- 20182018 — the first goalOn their World Cup debut Panama lost all three games, including 6-1 to England, but when veteran Felipe Baloy scored the nation's first-ever World Cup goal the celebration was as joyful as any victory.