Team Overview
Panama qualified for their second-ever World Cup after their memorable debut in 2018 in Russia, where the entire nation celebrated simply being on the world stage. Los Canaleros bring CONCACAF grit, determination, and the fierce pride of a footballing nation that continues to grow.
The squad is built on defensive resilience and set-piece prowess, a trademark of Central American football. Panama's players compete primarily in MLS, Liga MX, and the domestic league, and their collective spirit often outweighs individual talent. The 2018 World Cup experience—including a group-stage goal that was celebrated like a final winner—gave the program invaluable big-stage experience.
In Group L with England, Croatia, and Ghana, Panama are underdogs, but their qualification proves they can compete at the highest CONCACAF level. Their goal will be to make life difficult for every opponent and potentially snatch a historic result.
Key Players
Eric Davis
Defender
FK Rostov
José Fajardo
Forward
Saprissa
Adalberto Carreño
Midfielder
Tauro FC
César Yanis
Winger
Universitatea Craiova
Tipping Culture Back Home
Tipping 10–15% is standard at restaurants in Panama. The country's service culture is influenced by both Central American traditions and US norms due to the Canal Zone history.
- Restaurants: 10–15% tip is standard. Some restaurants add a 10% 'propina' to the bill.
- Hotels: Tip porters $1–2 per bag. Housekeeping tips of $1–2 per day are appreciated.
- Taxi drivers: Rounding up is fine for short rides; 10% for longer journeys.
- Tour guides: Tips of $5–10 per day are customary, especially for Canal and rainforest tours.
- Panama's proximity to the US means tipping norms are higher than in most Central American countries.
World Cup History
- Panama have appeared in 1 World Cup: 2018 (2026 will be the 2nd)
- The entire nation declared a national holiday when Panama qualified for the 2018 World Cup
- Felipe Baloy scored Panama's first-ever World Cup goal against England in 2018
- Lost all three group-stage matches in 2018 but celebrated every moment on the biggest stage
- Panama's qualification for 2018 ended the USA's streak, as they took the final CONCACAF spot
Related Teams
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