Panama's national team faces a new international challenge this Friday when it takes on South Africa in the first of two friendly matches scheduled between the teams as part of their preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The match will be held at 12:00 p.m. (Panama time) at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, which will be a demanding test for the team coached by Thomas Christiansen. The coach valued these commitments as a fundamental part of the national team's preparation process. The Panama national team held its final training session today and is ready for tomorrow's match against South Africa in Durban. The 23-player squad features young figures like Kadir Barría and Martín Krug, who are looking to earn a spot on the final World Cup roster. These matches also mark the reunion between Panama and South Africa after nearly 21 years. The most recent precedent dates back to July 17, 2005, when the two teams faced each other in the quarterfinals of the 2005 Gold Cup. That duel ended 1-1 and was decided on penalties in favor of Panama, in one of the most memorable matches in the country's football history. The second friendly between the two teams will be played on March 31 at the DHL Stadium at 12:30 p.m. Panama is in Group L of the 2026 World Cup alongside England, Croatia, and Ghana, and will debut on June 17 against the African team in Canada. South Africa, for its part, is in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea, and a representative from the European playoff.
