Panama are back at the FIFA World Cup for only the second time in their history.
Their debut in Russia 2018 ended with three defeats and no points, against England, Belgium, and Tunisia.
But they are back, and this time they arrive with more experience, more quality, and a manager who has built something genuinely competitive.
Under Spanish coach Thomas Christiansen, who has been in charge since 2020, Panama reached the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, the 2024 Copa America quarter-finals, the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League final, and qualified for this World Cup without suffering a single defeat in the final qualifying round.
Panama are in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Ghana.
Here are the 10 best soccer players from Panama at the 2026 World Cup.
1. Aníbal Godoy — Midfielder (Captain)
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Age: 36 | Club: San Diego FC (USA)
Aníbal Godoy is Panama’s all-time most-capped player with 159 appearances and the undisputed captain of this squad.
At 36, he is still the organisational heartbeat of everything Panama do in midfield.
He controls the tempo, provides defensive balance, and organises transition play with the kind of authority that only comes from a decade and a half of international football.
He played at the 2018 World Cup and is back for a second chapter.
He is one of the most experienced defensive midfielders CONCACAF has ever produced.
2. Adalberto Carrasquilla — Midfielder
Position: Midfielder
Age: 27 | Club: Pumas UNAM (Mexico)
Adalberto Carrasquilla is the creative engine of Panama’s midfield and the player Christiansen builds his system around.
The Pumas UNAM midfielder is technically the most gifted player in the squad and the key connection between defence and attack.
He suffered a groin issue in the Liga MX final shortly before the squad announcement, and his fitness for the opener against England is the biggest concern surrounding Panama’s preparations.
When fit, he is the difference-maker who gives Panama the quality to compete with stronger opponents.
He is one of the best playmakers Panama have ever produced.
3. Ismael Díaz — Forward/Midfielder
Position: Forward/Attacking Midfielder
Age: 29 | Club: León (Mexico)
Ismael Díaz is Panama’s most prolific active attacking player with 17 international goals in 57 caps.
The León forward has been one of the most consistent performers in Liga MX and brings genuine goal threat from wide and central attacking positions.
He was the man who rescued Panama with a dramatic injury-time equaliser against Suriname in qualifying, keeping the campaign alive at a crucial moment.
He is quick, direct, and one of the fastest and most dangerous attackers in CONCACAF.
4. Michael Amir Murillo — Defender
Position: Right-Back/Defender
Age: 30 | Club: Beşiktaş (Turkey)
Michael Amir Murillo is one of Panama’s most experienced and technically accomplished defenders with 94 caps and 9 international goals.
He played at the 2018 World Cup and is back for his second tournament, bringing Süper Lig experience from Beşiktaş in Turkey and a previous stint at Anderlecht and Marseille in European football.
He is one of Christiansen’s most reliable starters and operates as the right wing-back in Panama’s 3-5-2 system.
He is one of the best full-backs CONCACAF has produced in his generation.
5. José Fajardo — Forward
Position: Striker
Age: 32 | Club: Universidad Católica (Ecuador)
José Fajardo is Panama’s most experienced striker with 68 caps and 17 international goals, and one of the joint top scorers in the qualifying campaign alongside Tomás Rodríguez.
He is a physical, hard-working forward who leads the press from the front and brings goals and assists in equal measure from the striking position.
At 32, this is almost certainly his last World Cup and he arrives in the form of his career.
He is one of the most accomplished strikers Panama have ever sent to a World Cup.
6. Yoel Bárcenas — Midfielder/Winger
Position: Winger/Midfielder
Age: 32 | Club: Mazatlán (Mexico)
Yoel Bárcenas is one of Panama’s most dangerous wide players with 104 caps and 10 international goals.
He provides pace, acceleration, and creativity from the flanks and has been one of the most consistent attacking outlets in Panama’s setup for over a decade.
With more than 100 caps, he is one of the most experienced players in this squad and a familiar face from the 2018 World Cup campaign.
He is one of the best wide dribblers in CONCACAF football.
7. Eric Davis — Defender
Position: Left-Back/Defender
Age: 35 | Club: Plaza Amador (Panama)
Eric Davis is Panama’s most experienced outfield defender with 107 caps and 9 international goals — a remarkable tally for a defender that reflects his threat from set pieces.
He played at the 2018 World Cup and is back at 35 for a second tournament, operating as the left wing-back in Christiansen’s system.
At his age, his experience and reading of the game more than compensate for any reduction in physical pace, and he is one of the key defensive leaders alongside Godoy.
He is one of the most decorated left-backs in Panama’s history.
8. Fidel Escobar — Defender
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 31 | Club: Saprissa (Costa Rica)
Fidel Escobar is one of Panama’s most experienced centre-backs with 99 caps, one cap away from becoming only the third outfield player in Panamanian history to reach 100 international appearances.
He is the organiser and physical presence at the heart of Panama’s back three, providing the defensive structure that Christiansen’s counter-attacking system demands.
He is reliable, commanding, and one of the most important defensive players in the squad.
He is one of the most experienced centre-backs CONCACAF has to offer.
9. José Córdoba — Defender
Position: Centre-Back/Defender
Age: 25 | Club: Norwich City (England)
José Córdoba is the most Europe-based defender in Panama’s squad and one of the younger faces in a relatively experienced back line.
The Norwich City centre-back has 32 caps and brings EFL Championship experience and a level of technical quality that reflects his development in English football.
At 25, he is one of the players Christiansen is counting on to represent the future of Panamanian defending.
He is one of the best young defenders Panama have produced.
10. Alberto Quintero — Midfielder
Position: Midfielder/Winger
Age: 38 | Club: Plaza Amador (Panama)
Alberto Quintero is 38 years old, has 141 caps, and is one of the most beloved players in Panamanian football history.
He was part of the historic 2018 World Cup squad and at 38 becomes one of the oldest outfield players at the entire 2026 tournament.
He brings experience, leadership, and the kind of know-how from being in major tournaments before that a squad needs when the pressure of a World Cup group stage arrives.
He is one of the best footballers over 35 still representing their country at the highest level.
Conclusion
Panama arrive at the 2026 World Cup as a team that has grown enormously since their debut in Russia eight years ago.
They are unbeaten in qualifying, packed with experienced CONCACAF-tested players, and led by a manager who has transformed their competitive level across every major tournament.
Group L against England, Croatia, and Ghana is tough.
But Panama have the defensive structure, the individual quality of Carrasquilla and Díaz, and the experience of Godoy to make this group far more competitive than many expect.
Other players worth watching include Tomás Rodríguez, Cecilio Waterman, César Blackman, and Andrés Andrade.
Who do you think will be Panama’s standout player at the 2026 World Cup? Let us know in the comments!
