Panama have nothing to play for in terms of tournament progression when they face England in New Jersey on Saturday, but a first World Cup point at the sixth attempt is on the line. After an attritional 1-0 loss to Ghana and a slightly unlucky 1-0 defeat by Croatia, Los Canaleros are eliminated from Group H. However, for a veteran generation of players and their long-time coach, avoiding defeat against England would be a statement result and a crowning achievement.
Rise of a Footballing Nation
Until 2004, Panama had never cracked the top 100 in the FIFA rankings. They rose steadily and by 2023 established themselves as a top-50 team, climbing as high as 29th last year. Along the way, Panama reached the knockout stages at the 2024 Copa América, the final of the 2025 Concacaf Nations League, and a third silver medal at the Gold Cup in 2023. They also eliminated the United States men's national team in all three competitions, becoming a regional thorn.
Their secret sauce is continuity. Of the 26 players brought to the World Cup, half are over 30, and three more are 29. Just one player is under 25. Four players have more than 100 caps, while Fidel Escobar stands at 99 and Michael Amir Murillo at 96. That experience has honed their ability to grind out results.
The Mastermind: Thomas Christiansen
Spanish-Danish manager Thomas Christiansen has been head coach since 2020. Longtime Concacaf observers consider him the savviest coach in the region, ahead of Mauricio Pochettino (USA), Javier Aguirre (Mexico), and Jesse Marsch (Canada). Christiansen, who spent six years with Barcelona's B team and earned two caps for Spain, had a largely unremarkable managerial career before this, including a brief spell with Leeds United in 2017-18. But he has forged a collective that far outperforms the sum of their talent. Aside from José Córdoba at Norwich City and a handful of players in MLS and Liga MX, most play for lesser-known clubs.
Key Players and Tactics
Cristian Martínez was named man of the match in the 1-0 defeat by Croatia, despite being on the losing side. He was a menace on the counter up the right flank, repeatedly springing into space behind Josko Gvardiol, but José Fajardo was isolated up front and contained by Croatia's central defence. Martínez will be joined by Michael Murillo on the right, while José Luis Rodríguez and César Blackman will likely exploit the left.
Panama's tactics mirror Ghana's: a tightly-packed 5-4-1 low block, sitting back and letting England come at them, then breaking away at speed. Croatia finally broke through after going ahead and forcing Panama to chase an equaliser. Until Christiansen's men venture out of their low block, England will have to spot tiny cracks. There is little use trying to beat Panama with crosses and headers, as centre backs Jiovany Ramos, José Córdoba, and Andrés Andrade are imperious in the air.
How England Can Break Them Down
Thomas Tuchel must work out how to drag Panama out of shape with overloads to cut open a path to goal. Panama leave no real half-spaces, so creativity and precision will be key. England will need to exploit the flanks and perhaps draw Panama out before penetrating.
Previous Meeting
Panama will have played 33.3% of their World Cup matches against England after this. On 24 June 2018, they met in Nizhny Novgorod, with England winning 6-1. Harry Kane scored a hat-trick including two penalties, John Stones scored twice, and Jesse Lingard got the other.
