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Panama's return to the World Cup in 2026 is a continuation of the most dramatic qualifying moment in CONCACAF history. In 2017, Roman Torres scored the goal that sent Panama to their first World Cup, and the entire country stopped. Schools closed. Businesses shut down. The president declared a national holiday. That was not hyperbole. It literally happened. Now the country that turned a single qualifying goal into a national event is back for a second appearance, this time with host matches being played just a short flight from Panama City.
The squad blends veterans who remember the 2018 Russia experience with a new generation hungry to build on it. Anibal Godoy provides midfield experience and leadership. Adalberto Carrasquilla and Carlos Harvey bring energy from their club careers. Michael Amir Murillo anchors the defense with pace and aggression developed in MLS and European football. Eric Davis adds a name that echoes through Panamanian football history. The Canal Zone supporters, among the most passionate in CONCACAF, will travel in numbers to venues across the United States, turning sections of American stadiums into walls of red.
Panama's second. Their first World Cup appearance was in 2018 in Russia, where they became one of the great feel-good stories of the tournament. Roman Torres scored the qualifying goal that sent them there, prompting the Panamanian government to declare a national holiday. That 2017 qualifying night remains one of the most celebrated moments in Central American football history.
Anibal Godoy is the midfield anchor and emotional leader with over 100 caps. Michael Amir Murillo brings defensive solidity and overlapping runs from the right side. Adalberto Carrasquilla provides creative passing and set-piece quality. Eric Davis carries a legendary Panamanian football surname. Jose Cordoba and Carlos Harvey add depth and intensity. Yoel Barcenas and Alberto Quintero offer wide attacking options that stretch opponents.
Last updated: June 2026