The Panama national team will travel to Africa to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Thomas Christiansen has called up the squad for friendly matches against South Africa. The games are scheduled for March 27 and 31, with the venue yet to be confirmed.
These matches mark a historic milestone for Panamanian football, as it will be the first time the senior national team plays on the African continent. The management views these games as a crucial preparation stage for the tournament, where Panama was drawn into Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Ghana.
The opponent, South Africa, led by Belgian coach Hugo Broos, currently ranks 60th in the FIFA rankings. For "Bafana Bafana," this is also a key rehearsal before hosting the opening match against Mexico on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium.
The teams have met once before, during the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Panama won that quarter-final clash in Houston on penalties (4-3) after a 1-1 draw.
