Panama national football team


The Panama national football team represents Panama in men's international association football and it is governed by Panamanian Football Federation, The team represents all three FIFA, CONCACAF and the regional UNCAF.
Panama qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time for the 2018 tournament in Russia and scored their first goal of the World Cup against England, although they lost the match 6–1. Having finished dead last, it was Panama's worst performance in its debut appearance.
Panama finished as runners-up in the 2005 Gold Cup and 2013 Gold Cup, losing to the United States on both occasions. Panama has also competed in the sub-regional Central American Cup championship which they won in 2009, beating Costa Rica in the final. They finished in third place on three occasions, and finished as runners-up in the 2017 edition, which they hosted.
The national team is nicknamed "Los Canaleros", in reference to the Panama Canal.

History

2014 World Cup qualifying

Panama came close to advancing out of the fourth round of qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup. In their last match, which was against the United States, they led 2–1 after 90 minutes and were poised to advance to a play-off against New Zealand, but conceded two goals in stoppage time and were eliminated, with Mexico taking the playoff slot instead.

2018 World Cup qualifying

Four years after failing to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, Los Canaleros finally qualified for the World Cup after defeating Costa Rica 2−1 in their final qualifying match, which meant that the United States, who lost to Trinidad and Tobago 2–1, failed to qualify for the first time since 1986. Román Torres, who scored the winning goal in the 88th minute, was subsequently considered a national hero. The day after the match, the President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela declared a national holiday to commemorate the achievement, stating on his Twitter profile: "The voice of the people has been heard... Tomorrow will be a national holiday".

2018 World Cup

The national football team of Panama were drawn in Group G, together with European giants Belgium and England and the African side Tunisia. Their debut World Cup match was against Belgium, on 18 June 2018. Los Canaleros initially held on, with the score 0–0 at half-time, before eventually suffering a 3–0 loss. Six days later, Panama faced England, and this time succumbed to a 6–1 defeat; Felipe Baloy's late goal was the nation's first at a World Cup, but it was not enough to save them from elimination. A 2–1 loss to Tunisia in their final game meant that Panama finished bottom of their group - and 32nd and last in the tournament overall - having lost all three of their games and conceded eleven goals.

2018 FIFA World Cup Group G

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Competition records

World Cup record

CCCF Championship

The CCCF tournament began in 1941, but was later abolished in 1961.
The CONCACAF Championship tournament began in 1963, but was later abolished in 1989.

Copa Centroamericana

Copa América

Honours

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2019

2020

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Nicaragua on 25 February and Guatemala on 4 March 2020.
Caps and goals as of 4 March 2020, after the match against Guatemala.

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the past year.
INJ Withdrew due to injury.

PRE Preliminary squad.

RET Retired from the national team.

WD Withdrew for personal reasons.

Player records

Most capped players

As of 8 September 2019, the players with the most appearances for Panama are:
#NameCareerCapsGoals
1Gabriel Gómez2003–201814912
2Jaime Penedo2003–20181370
3Blas Pérez2001–201812243
4Román Torres2005–present11810
5Armando Cooper2006–present1098
6Luis Tejada2001–201810843
7Felipe Baloy2001–20181034
8Alberto Quintero2007–present1024
9Aníbal Godoy2010–present1001
10Luis Henríquez2003–2016892

Bold denotes still active players.

Top goalscorers

As of 8 September 2019, the players with the most goals for Panama are:
#NameCareerGoalsCaps
1Luis Tejada2001–201843108
1Blas Pérez2001–201843122
3Luis Ernesto Tapia1960–19792077
4Jorge Dely Valdés1991–20051948
5Julio Dely Valdés1990–20051844
6Roberto Brown2000–20111554
6Gabriel Torres2005–present1885
8Gabriel Gómez2003–201812149
9Víctor René Mendieta1980–20001131
9Ricardo Phillips1996–20101184

Bold denotes still active players.

Managers

Managers of the Panama national football team and their terms.