CONCACAF · Group L
FIFA World Cup 2026
Panama
FIFA Ranking #63Coach Thomas ChristiansenPAN
Team quick answers
What group is Panama in at World Cup 2026?
Panama are in Group L with Ghana, Croatia, England. The group is a four-team round-robin.
Who coaches Panama and what is their FIFA ranking?
Panama are coached by Thomas Christiansen, are FIFA-ranked #63, and use the team code PAN.
When does Panama's group-stage campaign start?
Panama's first group match is against Ghana on June 17, 2026 at BMO Field in Toronto. Their full group-stage window runs June 17, 2026 — June 27, 2026.
How can Panama reach the knockout stage?
Panama advance directly to the Round of 32 by finishing in the top two of Group L. If they finish third, they need to be one of the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups.
Team profile
Panama arrive at FIFA World Cup 2026 as a rising football nation, ranked #63 in the FIFA world rankings. Thomas Christiansen leads the squad after qualifying through the CONCACAF qualifying pathway. They have been drawn into Group L, a four-team round-robin where the top two advance directly to the round of 32 and the third-placed team competes for one of eight best-third spots.
Confederation: CONCACAF — region of the three host nations (USA, Mexico, Canada) plus three other qualifiers. Panama's qualification campaign placed them among the six sides representing their region at the expanded 48-team tournament.
Panama share Group L with Croatia, England, Ghana. Average FIFA rank of the group: #34.
Panama's group-stage campaign runs from June 17, 2026 to June 27, 2026, with three matches over approximately two weeks.
FIFA World Cup 2026 is the first edition with 48 teams, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. The expanded format means most teams need only finish in the top three of their group to keep playing.
