Panama's fate is in its own hands, requiring a cool head under pressure. For the defensive midfielder and captain Anibal Godoy, the national team knows it has a responsibility to itself and the country, and it must give its all, regardless of who plays. «Pressure is where there is maximum demand,» he argued. In turn, Guatemala's coach, Luis Fernando Tena, stated that Panama has an offensive team that plays well tactically, whoever is on the field. Following the press conference with Christiansen, it was revealed that the Panamanian Football Federation had quickly sent a note to FIFA reporting that there were no guarantees for the team upon its arrival in Guatemala. The Panama national team traveled this afternoon (3:00 PM) to Guatemala with the urgency to win, as there is no other option, in this penultimate matchday of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The match will be played at Estadio El Trébol at 9:00 PM this Thursday, November 13. The Panamanians who arrived in Guatemala also made urgent adjustments, as defender Edgardo Fariña was unable to travel due to migration issues, so Iván Anderson, who plays for Marathon in Honduras, was called up. «We are under pressure, but we are a great team and we arrived playing good football, and that will be seen tomorrow, trusting in God first,» stated Christiansen, adding that the lack of goals and effectiveness has put them in this position, but now is not the time to look back; «now we have to break the negative goal-scoring streak against Guatemala.» Regarding Guatemala's weaknesses, Christiansen noted that the key is to compete, and he is not concerned about the hostile stands, as the stadium has a good natural pitch. «We know what we are up against, and we are going all out.» Regarding Iván Anderson's arrival, the coach explained that they were monitoring Fariña's situation and need to be ready, while with Alberto Quintero, he hinted that he is available for about 130 minutes. «We are well and we can do it united,» he said this morning to the Panamanian press. While Panamanian coach Thomas Christiansen said at a press conference held at 7:30 PM tonight, Wednesday, that the team knows what it has to do: «we have analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of Guatemala.» «He fits this window very well and is a great player.» «Under pressure, you have to play, and that's best for a player. He must travel directly and join the team there itself. In addition to all this, three other members of the technical staff also had their setbacks upon arrival at the airport, and an advance group of Guatemalan fans were waiting for them with not-so-friendly signs, compounded by a traffic jam right on the way to the team's hotel. Data, taken from Telemetro, indicated a harsh atmosphere, and it presages that this Thursday's match, to be played in a small stadium with stands for about 5,000 people, is a trap that the players must handle to try to secure a victory that will put them in a different position next Tuesday, November 18, when they play against El Salvador at Rommel Fernández. If not, the Canaleros' aspirations will vanish.
