Joel Alexander Williams, a 28-year-old Panamanian midfielder who was not selected for the World Cup 2026 squad, has started a new job as a photographer to attend his country's final Group L game against England on Saturday night. The Union Cocle FC player, who has never been capped for Panama, will document the match from the touchline after missing out on a call-up from manager Thomas Christiansen.
From Pitch to Lens
Williams currently plays for Union Cocle FC in Panama's top division but has seen sporadic game time, keeping him out of contention for the national team. Rather than stay home, he embraced a role as a photographer, capturing the action from Panama's opening two Group L defeats to Ghana and Croatia. His unconventional dual role will continue when Panama faces England, needing a win to keep knockout hopes alive, though they have already been eliminated.
A Passionate Second Career
Discussing his photography business, Erudito Photo Sports, Williams told Mundo Deportivo: "It's not common for a photographer to be a footballer as well – a footballer competing at the very top level in the Panamanian league. I've been lucky enough to be able to pursue this business, this job, this hobby, this love, this passion – whatever you want to call it – that God has given me."
He added: "I can't say I didn't hold out hope that Christiansen would call me up for the World Cup. In football, you can never rule anything out; football takes many twists and turns. But I can't say I was on his radar because I was having issues with playing time at the club."
A Late Start in Photography
Remarkably, Williams did not pick up a camera until he turned 21, when his father, a church singer and pastor, purchased one so he could edit videos for his Christian music. "My dad is a pastor in Panama and wanted me to make his music videos. But, to this day, incredibly, I haven't made a single video for him," Williams said.
World Cup Dreams Alive
Despite focusing on photography, Williams has no intention of abandoning his football career. "Playing in the next World Cup? Well, it's possible; anything is possible in the name of Jesus. Whatever you set your mind to here on Earth, with God's help, you can achieve," he said.
He faces the painful reality of returning to Panama after the England fixture, having missed his club's pre-season preparations. The Apertura Tournament starts in mid-July, and Williams must report for duty by July 1. "I have to go back to Panama on the 29th if we don't get through to the next round," he said prior to their exit being confirmed. "If we do get through, things get a bit complicated for me football-wise, because I have to be back in Panama before July 1."
