Panama's coach, Thomas Christiansen, stated on Wednesday that his players face a 'challenge' and have the 'illusion' of winning for the first time in Guatemala in a World Cup qualifier, and passed the nervousness to the local team, which is experiencing a 'historic moment' and has 'quite a bit of pressure'. At the press conference prior to the crucial match this Thursday at the Manuel Felipe Carrera stadium, south of the Guatemalan capital, where the loser could say goodbye to the 2026 World Cup, Christiansen referred to the unexpected issue with defender Edgardo Fariña, who did not travel to Guatemala due to 'a migration issue'. The injury forced the call-up of an extra player to 'cover our backs' and, regarding Michael Amir Murillo, he assured that 'he has traveled with the team, he is one more'. 'With our football, we silenced that atmosphere a bit and we will try to do the same tomorrow', he warned. 'It's something that is not my responsibility', he said, after qualifying it as an issue 'beyond our reach'. Far from seeing the match as a single final, the Danish-Spanish coach added: 'We have had six or we are going to have six finals'. Christiansen acknowledged the 'hostile' atmosphere that awaits them, similar to that of El Salvador, but described it as 'nice'. Christiansen, who saw the grass on a previous visit, preferred it to the synthetic one, and although he called it 'a bit irregular', he said it was 'nothing to worry about'. Panama shares the lead with Surinam, both with six points. A win for Christiansen's team in Guatemala would eliminate the hosts from the fight for first place, leaving Panama with everything to play for in the final match against El Salvador. If they draw, the definition will be moved to the last date and a Panamanian defeat opens the group and forces the 'canaleros' to look for a resounding result in the final match. 'With our football, we silenced that atmosphere a bit and we will try to do the same tomorrow', he warned. The coach, who has 'a lot of appreciation' for his counterpart Luis Fernando Tena, admitted that the lack of effectiveness has been the shortcoming of Panama, but urged to look ahead. Panama declined the recognition of the pitch at El Trébol to 'quietly work on our set pieces'. If they draw, the definition will be moved to the last date and a Panamanian defeat opens the group and forces the 'canaleros' to look for a resounding result in the final match.
