Panama erupted in celebrations following its historic qualification for the World Cup. After the match that secured a spot in the 2026 finals, a wave of collective joy swept across the country. Streets, avenues, and parks transformed into rivers of people dressed in the national flag's colors. In the capital, Calle 50 became a massive corridor of celebration, with cars sporting flags blaring their horns and families walking, singing, and chanting. Similar scenes unfolded in all provinces, including Colón, Chiriquí, and Veraguas, where people of all ages took to the streets in a joyous invasion. The national unity was palpable, with no distinctions made between neighborhoods or social classes. President José Raúl Mulino congratulated the national team and urged citizens to celebrate 'in peace and united,' symbolically allowing for late arrivals at work the next day. This qualification felt especially sweet, as the team earned its spot on the field, free from controversy, finally closing a wound left by past near-misses. The celebrations also provided an economic boost, with significant increases in sales of jerseys, flags, and higher occupancy in restaurants and bars.
