FIFAe Nations League 2026 | Panama Makes History in Esports
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Panama has made history in esports by qualifying for the continental finals of the FIFAe Nations League 2026 in Mexico.
- The national team achieved this milestone in eFootball Mobile and eFootball Console, with players Elias Herrera, Jhonnatan Mora, Josรฉ Madrid, and Juan Mendoza securing spots.
- This achievement is notable for Panama's first-ever participation in a FIFA-organized world qualifier and for competing in duo formats in eFootball.
Panama is making significant strides in the world of esports, achieving a historic milestone by qualifying for the continental finals of the FIFAe Nations League 2026 in Mexico. The national team's talent is shining on the digital fields, marking a proud moment for the country's burgeoning esports scene.
The Panamanian contingent has secured their place in the continental stage for eFootball Mobile, with the dynamic duo of Josรฉ Madrid and Juan Mendoza leading the charge. This accomplishment mirrors the earlier success of Elias Herrera and Jhonnatan Mora, who had already clinched a spot in the eFootball Console category. Meanwhile, Diego Salvador, Carlos Bouche, and Luis Moreno are still vying for glory in Rocket League, keeping the nation's hopes alive across multiple disciplines.
Normally, these are categories that are played one versus one, so for us, it was a big challenge.
What makes this achievement particularly groundbreaking is the innovative format of competition. Alexandra Rangel, vice president of the Panamanian Esports Association, revealed in an exclusive interview that this marks a first for Panama and is a rare feat globally in these specific esports disciplines. The team is competing in a two-versus-two (2v2) format for eFootball Console and eFootball Mobile, a significant departure from the typical one-versus-one (1v1) setup. "Normally, these are categories that are played one versus one, so for us, it was a big challenge," Rangel stated. The Rocket League matches, however, adhere to the traditional three-versus-three (3v3) team format.
We have been quite undefeated, so to speak.
The eFootball Console team, featuring Elias Herrera and Jhonnatan Mora, has displayed remarkable consistency throughout the competition. They consistently ranked among the top teams, even reaching second place with 550 points, closely trailing regional rivals Mexico, who held 585 points. "We have been quite undefeated, so to speak," Rangel commented. Their strong performance and consistent scoring were enough to secure their advancement to the next phase. Their winning streak continued until the final week, where they faced their only significant challenge, a defeat against the Mexican team, widely recognized as a continental powerhouse in the sport.
This national esports endeavor is a collaborative effort between the Panamanian Esports Association (FEPAES) and the Panamanian Football Federation (FPF). Training and competition sessions are held at Triex in Costa del Este, where players compete in the various qualifying rounds. The eFootball Console team is set to travel to Mexico from August 28-30 to compete in the CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP NORTH for Central America and the Caribbean. As Panama eagerly awaits the outcomes in the Mobile and Rocket League categories, the players continue their rigorous preparation, aiming to make a significant impact on the global esports stage.
Panama has given a lot to talk about.
Originally published by TVN Panamรก in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.