Panama's national football team is heading to its second World Cup with a more mature squad, greater international experience, the ambition to compete in a demanding group, and is determined to improve the image it left during its World Cup debut in 2018. After it was revealed this Friday that the Central American 'red' team was placed in Group L, alongside England, Croatia, and Ghana, here are some key points to follow. Erasing the shadow of Russia 2018. Panama arrives at the 2026 World Cup with a revamped squad, more international experience, and the mission to improve the image shown in Russia 2018. In its debut, it was in Group G with Belgium, England, and Tunisia. Croatia, the runner-up in 2018 and bronze medalist in 2022, is ranked 10th. Panama arrives as the 30th-ranked team, only above Ghana, which is in 72nd place. Preparation is a priority. Unlike in 2018, Panama will no longer arrive as a novice: it has players in competitive leagues and experience on big stages. Hispano-Danish coach Thomas Christiansen reiterated that his team will 'compete' and 'give war' to its rivals, although he stressed that they have a lot of work ahead to face the tournament and that preparation could begin early next year. Christiansen maintains confidence in his squad and stated: 'We are going to compete, there is no doubt that we have a good team'. Distances and similarities. Although in the football landscape Panama, England, and Croatia come from different realities, they share a common point: all three had a solid path to the World Cup. England advanced with a perfect record, conceding no goals and scoring 18 goals. Croatia also arrived unbeaten, with only one draw and just one goal against in its first six matches. Panama, although it suffered until the end of the qualifying tournament, did not lose in the Concacaf qualifiers since entering the second round of the championship. The Panamanians secured one of the three direct spots from Concacaf, becoming the only Central American team in the next World Cup, leaving traditional teams like Honduras and Costa Rica behind. In 2018, they failed to earn a single point, finished last, and were one of the most heavily defeated teams of the tournament. England, once again in the way. Eight years later, Panama will face England again, a rival that clearly surpassed them in 2018. The English took advantage of Panama's inexperience to win 6-1, in a match remembered for Panama's first World Cup goal, scored by Felipe Baloy in the 78th minute. Panama wants to leave its mark on the 2026 World Cup and erase the shadow of Russia 2018. Panama can play with the element of surprise for now. At the moment, Panama can play with the element of surprise. Opposing coaches have admitted they still do not know the Canaleros team in depth. England's coach, Thomas Tuchel, stated: 'I don't know much about Panama right now, but we will know before the tournament starts, of course'. In the same vein, Ghana's coach, Otto Addo, indicated he knows nothing about Panama, except for its coach Thomas Christiansen, with whom he coincided in Germany as a player. Croatia's coach, Zlatko Dalic, admitted he knows neither Panama nor Ghana, but noted: 'I have six months to watch them and prepare for them'. Facing two top-10 FIFA teams. The coach himself acknowledged that 'seeing the group complicates everything'. England and Croatia, the two European teams in the group, are among the top ten teams in the world. England, the 1966 champion, is ranked fourth in the FIFA rankings.
