Panama World Cup 2026 Squad — Players, Manager & Group

Panama's second World Cup — showing how far the nation has come

Panama are making only their second World Cup appearance — they debuted in Russia 2018 and lost all three games but it was a historic moment for Central American football. Eight years later they are back and aiming to show how much they have developed as a footballing nation.

Michael Murillo — Premier League quality leading Panama's defence

Michael Murillo of Nottingham Forest is Panama's most high profile player and their most dangerous attacking right back. His Premier League experience gives him a level of quality and tactical awareness that elevates Panama's overall game when he is on form.

Jose Cordoba — El Toro bringing physicality and aerial presence

Jose Cordoba of Norwich City — known as El Toro — is the physical striker who can hold the ball up and bring others into play. His inclusion gives Panama an aerial option and a target man that suits their counter-attacking style perfectly.

Group L is extremely tough — Panama are realistic outsiders

Group L is extremely tough. England are one of the tournament's big favourites. Croatia with Modric are always competitive. Ghana have genuine quality. Panama are realistically the fourth strongest team in the group and will need to be very well organised to take any points. But stranger things have happened.

Christiansen bringing Danish tactical discipline to a Panamanian squad

Thomas Christiansen brings Danish tactical discipline to a Panamanian squad that has always been about organisation, hard work and physicality rather than technical brilliance. The challenge is building a team that can frustrate better opponents long enough to nick a result on the counter.

Qualifying again proves infrastructure investment is paying off

Panama qualifying again proves that the infrastructure investment in Central American football is paying off. They are not here by accident — they earned it through a competitive CONCACAF qualifying campaign. That deserves enormous respect regardless of what happens in Group L.

Who is in Panama's World Cup 2026 squad?

Full 26-man squad listed above including Michael Murillo and Jose Cordoba.

Who is Panama's manager at World Cup 2026?

Thomas Christiansen.

What group are Panama in at World Cup 2026?

Group L with England, Croatia and Ghana.

When do Panama play their first World Cup game?

June 17 vs Ghana at NRG Stadium, Houston.

Is this Panama's first World Cup?

No — their second. They debuted in Russia 2018.