Panama Becomes Only Central American Team to Qualify for FIFA 2026 World Cup
Panama team pose for a group photo prior to a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Guatemala in Guatemala City, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
The Canaleros are heading to the World Cup. Panama secured a direct spot in the 2026 World Cup during the last day of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, becoming the only Central American team to make it to the tournament.
Curacao and Haiti were the other two CONCACAF teams to qualify.
Suriname and Jamaica have moved on to the playoffs, and their fate will be decided next year.
This is Panama’s second World Cup berth. The team first qualified for the 2018 World Cup, before failing to reach the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The team beat El Salvador 3-0 to qualify.
Cesar Blackman opened the score in the 17th minute, then Eric Davis doubled the lead by converting a penalty right before the first half ended. Jose Rodriguez then took the lead to 3-0 in a dominant performance by what has been the most consistent team in the CONCACAF the past few years.
After the team secured their World Cup spot, Panamanians turned to the streets to celebrate. Some of the most important streets in the capital of Panama City were filled with fans celebrating, and fireworks erupted in the stadium as the game ended.
The Panama players and coach Thomas Christiansen looked visibly emotional after the win.
But it all turned to celebration soon, and that included dancing.
Even the president of Panama got in on the celebration, congratulating the team on social media and exhorting people to celebrate responsibly. He did, however, say that if anyone is late to work tomorrow because they stayed up celebrating, that can be overlooked. Just this once.