Panama's national team secured its qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating El Salvador 3-0 in the final match of the Concacaf qualifiers. The victory, which took place at the Rommel Fernández Stadium in Panama City, allowed the team to top Group A. Fans in Panama are celebrating the national team's qualification. Panama's head coach, Thomas Christiansen, celebrated the team's success but also questioned the lack of confidence he perceives in the team. «We have grown in these five years, achieving important goals like the Gold Cup, the Nations League, and the Copa América. In almost every tournament, we have had to deal with significant absences,» Christiansen stated at a press conference, visibly moved after securing the spot. However, the coach reproached the «lack of confidence in the group» following an irregular start to the qualifiers. «When we play together, we are incredibly difficult to beat,» Christiansen concluded. The coach also thanked Guatemala, whose 3-1 victory over Surinam also contributed to Panama's qualification. «I want to send a message to Guatemala, not for helping us qualify, but for being a professional and fair team that always tried to win. That's what we would have done in their place,» he commented. With a choked voice and tears, he remembered his father, who passed away last year, and noted that if they had qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he would have been there to experience it, but now he will be watching from heaven. Regarding a potential renewal with the Panama national team, Christiansen stated: «We are going to enjoy this qualification. That's the only thing on my mind now. I also have a contract that runs after the World Cup.»
