The Panama national team will play its second World Cup in the edition to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026, and the objective will be to secure at least one point to continue gaining experience. According to a survey conducted by the Argentine News Agency, the Central American squad had participated for the first time in the Russia 2018 tournament, although it did not go well at all, beyond having to face two footballing powers of the caliber of Belgium, which finished third in that edition, and England, which was fourth. With only two goals for and three matches lost, the Panamanians will try to secure some points and thus be able to compete in every game. In their only appearance in Russia 2018, they finished last without points in Group G, while Belgium was the leader with 9 points, England was the runner-up with 6, and Tunisia was third with 3. In their absolute debut, they were thrashed 3-0 by the 'Red Devils', with goals from Dries 'Ciro' Mertens and Romelu Lukaku, on two occasions. In the second match, they were crushed 6-1 by England, with goals from John Stones, on two occasions, Harry Kane, three times, the first two from the penalty spot, and Jesse Lingard for the British, while Felipe Baloy scored for the Central Americans. In the final match, and only to fulfill the fixture, they lost 2-1 to Tunisia, with goals from Fakhreddine Ben Youssef and Wahbi Khazri for the Africans, and an own goal from Yassine Meriah for the Panamanians.
