Panama national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Panama

Nicknames	Los Canaleros (The Canal Men) La Marea Roja (The Red Tide)
Association	Federación Panameña de Fútbol (FEPAFUT)
Confederation	CONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederation	UNCAF (Central America)
Head coach	Thomas Christiansen
Captain	Yoel Bárcenas
Most caps	Aníbal Godoy (160)
Top scorer	Luis Tejada (43)
Home stadium	Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez
FIFA code	PAN
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	76 5 (7 February 2019)
Highest	29 (March 2014, September 2025 –)
Lowest	150 (August 1995)
First international
Panama 2–1 Venezuela  (Panama City, Panama; 12 February 1938)
Biggest win
Anguilla 0–13 Panama  (Panama City, Panama; 5 June 2021)
Biggest defeat
Panama 0–11 Costa Rica  (Panama City, Panama; 16 February 1938)
World Cup
Appearances	2 (first in 2018)
Best result	Group stage (2018, 2026)
CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup
Appearances	13 (first in 1963)
Best result	Runners-up (2005, 2013, 2023)
CONCACAF Nations League
Appearances	4 (first in 2019–20)
Best result	Runners-up (2025)
Copa América
Appearances	2 (first in 2016)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2024)
CCCF Championship
Appearances	7 (first in 1941)
Best result	Champions (1951)
Medal record CONCACAF Gold Cup Silver 2005 United States Team Silver 2013 United States Team Silver 2023 United States and Canada Team Bronze 2015 United States and Canada Team CONCACAF Nations League Silver 2025 United States Team CCCF Championship Gold 1951 Panama Team Bronze 1948 Guatemala Team Copa Centroamericana Gold 2009 Honduras Team Silver 2007 El Salvador Team Silver 2017 Panama Team Bronze 1993 Honduras Team Bronze 2011 Panama Team Bronze 2014 United States Team Central American and Caribbean Games Bronze 1946 Colombia Team

The Panama national football team (called Selección de fútbol de Panamá in Spanish) represents Panama in men's international football games. The team is managed by the Federación Panameña de Fútbol (FEPAFUT), which was founded in 1937. Panama joined FIFA in 1938. They were also a founding member of CONCACAF in 1961. CONCACAF is the main football organization for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Panama has proudly played in the FIFA World Cup twice. These appearances were in 2018 and 2026. The team scored its very first World Cup goal against England.

The team has also achieved great success in CONCACAF's top competition, the CONCACAF Gold Cup. They finished as runners-up three times, in 2005, 2013, and 2023. Panama also reached the finals of the CONCACAF Nations League in 2025. They have participated in the Copa América twice, in 2016 and 2024.

On a regional level, Panama won the CCCF Championship in 1951 when they hosted the event. They also won the Copa Centroamericana in 2009.

Panama's Football Journey

Early Years of Panamanian Football

The Panamanian Football Federation was founded in 1937. Panama became a FIFA member in 1938. The team played its first international match in 1938. They were part of the CCCF, an older football group. This group later became part of CONCACAF.

Exciting Gold Cup Runs

Panama has had many memorable moments in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. These tournaments bring together the best teams from North and Central America.

2011 Gold Cup Success

In the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Panama was in a tough group. They won their first two matches, beating Guadeloupe and the United States. They then tied with Canada, winning their group for the first time. Panama advanced to the quarter-finals. They won against El Salvador in a penalty shootout. In the semi-finals, they faced the United States again. Panama played hard but lost 1–0.

2013 Gold Cup Final

The 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup was another great tournament for Panama. They started with a 2–1 win over Mexico. Gabriel Torres scored both goals. They also beat Martinique 1–0. This secured their spot in the knockout rounds. After tying with Canada, they won their group. In the quarter-finals, they easily beat Cuba 6–1. Gabriel Torres and Blas Pérez each scored two goals. Panama then defeated Mexico 2–1 in the semi-finals. This sent them to the final against the United States. Unfortunately, Panama lost 1–0 in a close match.

2015 Gold Cup Third Place

In the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Panama drew all their group stage games 1–1. This was enough to move to the next stage. They beat Trinidad and Tobago in a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, they played Mexico. The game was tied 1–1 after regular time. Mexico won 2–1 in extra time due to a penalty. Panama then played the United States for third place. They won 3–2 on penalties after another 1–1 draw. This earned them a bronze medal.

Qualifying for the World Cup

Panama worked hard to reach the FIFA World Cup. It is the biggest football tournament in the world.

Close Call in 2014 Qualifiers

Panama almost qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In their final qualifying match, they led the United States 2–1. If they held on, they would have gone to a play-off. However, the U.S. scored two goals in stoppage time. Panama was eliminated, and Mexico took their spot.

Historic 2018 World Cup Qualification

Four years later, Los Canaleros finally made history. They qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup! This happened after they beat Costa Rica 2–1 in their last qualifying game. Román Torres scored the winning goal in the 87th minute. He became a national hero. The President of Panama even declared a national holiday to celebrate this amazing achievement.

Panama's First World Cup in 2018

The Panama national football team in 2024.

At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Panama was in Group G. They played against strong teams like Belgium, England, and Tunisia. Their first World Cup match was against Belgium. Panama held them to a 0–0 tie at halftime. However, Belgium eventually won 3–0. Six days later, Panama faced England. They lost 6–1, but Felipe Baloy scored Panama's first-ever World Cup goal! This was a truly special moment. Panama lost their final game to Tunisia 2–1. They finished last in their group, but they gained valuable experience.

Second World Cup Appearance in 2026

Panama returned to the FIFA World Cup in 2026. They were in Group L with England, Croatia, and Ghana. In their first match against Ghana, they lost 1–0. Ghana scored a goal in the last minute of the game. Panama showed great control, keeping the ball for 62% of the game. They also completed 502 passes, which was a record for them in the World Cup. Despite their efforts, Panama did not score any goals in the tournament. They lost their other matches to Croatia (1–0) and England (2–0).

Team Identity and Home Ground

Kit Sponsorship Deals

Panama's national team has worn kits from several different brands over the years. These companies help support the team.

Kit supplier	Period	Notes
Patrick	1992–1996	Patrick was the first official sponsor. They provided kits for the 1994 World Cup qualifiers.
Reebok	1996–1999	Panama wore Reebok kits during the 1998 World Cup qualifiers.
Kappa	1999–2002	The team used Kappa kits for the 2002 World Cup qualifiers.
Lotto	2002–2014	Lotto sponsored Panama for 12 years, the longest period for any brand. They wore Lotto kits in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers and Gold Cups in 2011 and 2013.
New Balance	2015–2023	Panama first wore New Balance kits in a friendly match against Ecuador. These kits were worn during their first World Cup in 2018.
Reebok	2023–2027	Panama returned to Reebok after 24 years. They wore three different Reebok kits during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Panama's Home Stadium

A 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match between Panama and Guyana at the Rommel Fernández Stadium.

The main home stadium for the Panama national football team is the Rommel Fernández Stadium. It is located in Panama City. This stadium has hosted most of Panama's important matches since it opened in 1970. It is a very special place for Panamanian football.

Sometimes, the stadium needs repairs or upgrades. During these times, the team plays its home games at other venues. For example, in 2008, the stadium was renovated. Panama's matches were moved to the Rod Carew Stadium. This stadium is usually for baseball but was changed for football games. The same thing happened in 2021 when the Rommel Fernández Stadium got new grass. The Rod Carew Stadium was used again for World Cup qualifying matches.

Media Coverage of Matches

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Panama's matches were shown on RPC, Tigo Sports, and TVMAX. Tigo Sports offered full coverage of all 104 matches in Panama.

Coaching Staff and Managers

Current head coach Thomas Christiansen, who led Panama to finish as runners-up at the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League

The coaching staff helps the players train and prepare for games.

Position	Name
Head coach	Thomas Christiansen
Assistant coach	Francisco Javier Sánchez Jara
Assistant coach	Jorge Dely Valdés
Goalkeeping coach	Donaldo González

Team Managers Over Time

Many different managers have led the Panama national team throughout its history.

Meet the Players

Current Squad Members

Here are the players who were part of the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The number of games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of June 27, 2026, after the match against England.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Luis Mejía	(1991-03-16) 16 March 1991 (age 35)	56	0	Nacional
12	1GK	César Samudio	(1994-03-26) 26 March 1994 (age 32)	5	0	Marathón
22	1GK	Orlando Mosquera	(1994-12-25) 25 December 1994 (age 31)	51	0	Al-Fayha
2	2DF	César Blackman	(1998-04-02) 2 April 1998 (age 28)	42	3	Slovan Bratislava
3	2DF	José Córdoba	(2001-06-03) 3 June 2001 (age 25)	35	1	Norwich City
4	2DF	Fidel Escobar	(1995-01-09) 9 January 1995 (age 31)	100	4	Saprissa
5	2DF	Edgardo Fariña	(2001-09-21) 21 September 2001 (age 24)	18	0	Pari Nizhny Novgorod
13	2DF	Jiovany Ramos	(1997-01-26) 26 January 1997 (age 29)	25	2	Puerto Cabello
15	2DF	Eric Davis	(1991-03-31) 31 March 1991 (age 35)	108	9	Plaza Amador
16	2DF	Andrés Andrade	(1998-10-16) 16 October 1998 (age 27)	53	1	LASK
23	2DF	Amir Murillo	(1996-02-11) 11 February 1996 (age 30)	97	9	Beşiktaş
25	2DF	Roderick Miller	(1992-04-03) 3 April 1992 (age 34)	50	2	Turan Tovuz
26	2DF	Jorge Gutiérrez	(1998-09-01) 1 September 1998 (age 27)	19	0	Deportivo La Guaira
6	3MF	Cristian Martínez	(1997-02-06) 6 February 1997 (age 29)	69	2	Ironi Kiryat Shmona
7	3MF	José Luis Rodríguez	(1998-06-19) 19 June 1998 (age 28)	73	8	Juárez
8	3MF	Adalberto Carrasquilla	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 27)	73	3	UNAM
10	3MF	Ismael Díaz	(1997-05-12) 12 May 1997 (age 29)	59	17	León
11	3MF	Yoel Bárcenas	(1993-10-23) 23 October 1993 (age 32)	107	10	Unattached
14	3MF	Carlos Harvey	(2000-02-03) 3 February 2000 (age 26)	31	3	Minnesota United
19	3MF	Alberto Quintero	(1987-12-18) 18 December 1987 (age 38)	142	7	Plaza Amador
20	3MF	Aníbal Godoy (captain)	(1990-02-10) 10 February 1990 (age 36)	160	4	San Diego
21	3MF	César Yanis	(1996-01-28) 28 January 1996 (age 30)	56	5	Cobresal
9	4FW	Tomás Rodríguez	(1999-03-09) 9 March 1999 (age 27)	14	4	Saprissa
17	4FW	José Fajardo	(1993-08-18) 18 August 1993 (age 32)	71	17	Universidad Católica
18	4FW	Cecilio Waterman	(1991-04-13) 13 April 1991 (age 35)	56	15	Universidad de Concepción
24	4FW	Azarias Londoño	(2001-06-21) 21 June 2001 (age 25)	13	0	Universidad Católica

Player Records and Achievements

Most Games Played for Panama

These players have represented Panama in the most international matches.

Aníbal Godoy is Panama's most capped player with 160 appearances.

Top Goal Scorers for Panama

These players have scored the most goals for the national team.

Luis Tejada is Panama's all-time top scorer with 43 goals.

Tournament Records

Panama has competed in many important football tournaments. Here's how they have performed.

FIFA World Cup Appearances

Panama has qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice.

FIFA World Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930	Not a FIFA member										Not a FIFA member
1934
1938	Declined participation										Declined participation
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978	Did not qualify										6	1	1	4	7	21
1982											8	0	1	7	3	24
1986											2	0	0	2	0	4
1990											2	0	1	1	1	3
1994											2	1	0	1	2	5
1998											8	3	2	3	14	13
2002											10	3	1	6	9	19
2006											18	4	4	10	19	32
2010											2	1	0	1	2	3
2014											20	8	7	5	31	18
2018	Group stage	32nd	3	0	0	3	2	11	Squad		16	6	5	5	16	15
2022	Did not qualify										20	11	4	5	38	21
2026	Group stage	43rd	3	0	0	3	0	4	Squad		10	7	3	0	19	5
2030	To be determined										To be determined
2034
Total	Group stage	32nd	6	0	0	6	2	15	2/21		124	45	29	50	161	183

CONCACAF Gold Cup Performance

Panama has often done well in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
1963	Group stage	6th	4	1	2	1	8	4	—
1965	Did not participate
1967	Did not qualify
1969
1971	Did not participate
1973
1977	Did not qualify
1981
1985
1989
1991	Did not participate
1993	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	3	8	Squad
1996	Did not qualify
1998
2000
2002
2003
2005	Runners-up	2nd	6	2	3	1	7	6	Squad
2007	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	1	2	6	7	Squad
2009		7th	4	1	1	2	7	5	Squad
2011	Semi-finals	3rd	5	2	2	1	7	6	Squad
2013	Runners-up	2nd	6	4	1	1	11	4	Squad
2015	Third place	3rd	6	0	5	1	6	7	Squad
2017	Quarter-finals	5th	4	2	1	1	6	3	Squad
2019		7th	4	2	0	2	6	4	Squad
2021	Group stage	9th	3	1	1	1	8	7	Squad
2023	Runners-up	2nd	6	3	2	1	11	6	Squad
2025	Quarter-finals	5th	4	3	1	0	11	4	Squad
Total	Runners-up	13/28	59	22	21	16	97	71	—

CONCACAF Nations League Record

Panama has also competed in the CONCACAF Nations League.

CONCACAF Nations League record
League phase / Quarter-finals											Finals
Season	Division	Group	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	P/R		Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
2019–20	A	B	4	1	0	3	5	9			2021	Did not qualify
2022–23	A	B	4	3	1	0	8	0			2023	Fourth place	2	0	0	2	0	3	Squad
2023–24	A	A	6	5	1	0	15	3			2024	Fourth place	2	0	0	2	0	4	Squad
2024–25	A	Bye	2	1	1	0	3	2			2025	Runners-up	2	1	0	1	2	2	Squad
2026–27	A	To be determined									2027	To be determined
Total	—	—	16	10	3	3	31	14	—		Total	0 Titles	6	1	0	5	2	9	—

Copa América Participation

Panama has played in the Copa América, a major South American tournament.

Copa América record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
2016	Group stage	12th	3	1	0	2	4	10	Squad
2024	Quarter-finals	7th	4	2	0	2	6	10	Squad
Total	Quarter-finals	2/2	7	3	0	4	10	20	—

Copa Centroamericana Results

This tournament is for Central American teams.

Copa Centroamericana record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1991	Preliminary round	5th	2	1	0	1	2	3
1993	Third place	3rd	3	0	1	2	1	5
1995	Fifth place	5th	2	0	0	2	0	3
1997	Fifth place	5th	2	0	0	2	0	7
1999	Did not participate
2001	Fourth place	4th	3	0	1	2	3	6
2003	Fifth place	5th	5	1	1	3	4	5
2005	Fourth place	4th	4	1	0	3	1	5
2007	Runners-up	2nd	6	4	1	1	5	2
2009	Champions	1st	4	2	1	1	2	3
2011	Third place	3rd	5	4	0	1	7	1
2013	Fifth place	5th	2	0	2	0	1	1
2014	Third place	3rd	3	2	1	0	5	2
2017	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	1	1	4	2
Total	1 Title	13/14	46	18	9	19	35	45

CCCF Championship History

Panama won the CCCF Championship once.

CCCF Championship record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1941	Fourth place	4th	4	1	1	2	11	16
1943	Did not participate
1946	Round-robin	5th	5	1	1	3	5	16
1948	Third place	3rd	8	4	0	4	19	24
1951	Champions	1st	4	3	1	0	13	3
1953	Round-robin	7th	6	0	1	5	6	16
1955	Did not participate
1957	Fourth place	4th	4	1	0	3	3	8
1960	Did not participate
1961	Round 1	7th	4	1	0	3	3	11
Total	1 Title	7/10	35	11	4	20	60	94

Team Honours and Awards

Panama has won several awards and medals in different football competitions.

Continental Achievements

• CONCACAF Gold Cup
  • Runners-up (3): 2005, 2013, 2023
  • Third place (1): 2015
• CONCACAF Nations League
  • Runners-up (1): 2024–25

Regional Achievements

• CCCF Championship¹
  • Champions (1): 1951
  • Third place (1): 1948
• Copa de Naciones UNCAF / Copa Centroamericana
  • Champions (1): 2009
  • Runners-up (2): 2007, 2017
  • Third place (3): 1993, 2011, 2014
• Central American and Caribbean Games
  • Silver medal (1): 1946
• Bolivarian Games
  • Bronze medal (2): 1970, 1973

Summary of Official Honours

This table shows Panama's official honours recognized by FIFA or its confederations.

Competition				Total
CONCACAF Gold Cup	0	3	1	4
CONCACAF Nations League	0	1	0	1
CCCF Championship1	1	0	1	2
Total	1	4	2	7

Images for kids

• 

  2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match between Panama and Guyana at the Rommel Fernández Stadium.

• 

  Panama national football team in 2024.

• 

  Aníbal Godoy is Panama's most capped player with 160 appearances.

• 

  Luis Tejada is Panama's all-time top scorer with 43 goals.

• 

  Current head coach Thomas Christiansen.

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Panamá para niños