Panama accelerates World Cup prep with Carrasquilla training with ball

Panama's national football team is in the final stretch of its preparation for the 2026 World Cup, with midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla showing positive signs of recovery.

Carrasquilla participated in ball drills at the team's training camp near Toronto, Canada. While still training separately from the main group, his involvement with the ball marks a significant step in his rehabilitation, according to the Panamanian Football Federation (Fepafut).

The team, led by Thomas Christiansen, has been training at the Nottawasaga complex for a week. Their final preparations include tactical adjustments for their opening match against Ghana on Wednesday at the Toronto Stadium.

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Ghana is a very strong, aggressive team, but we have to play our game, stay focused, well-positioned, with compact lines, because we know that our goal can come at any moment.

Defender Jiovany Ramos acknowledged Ghana as a strong and aggressive opponent but expressed confidence in Panama's strategy. "Ghana is a very strong, aggressive team, but we have to play our game, stay focused, well-positioned, with compact lines, because we know that our goal can come at any moment," Ramos stated.

Ramos also emphasized the importance of maintaining concentration for the full 90 minutes and executing the technical staff's plan to neutralize Ghana's physical power and quality players. He shared his personal journey of working twice as hard to secure a spot in the final 26-man squad for the World Cup.

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I had a small dip, I returned to Panama and after that I set myself the goal of working harder because I knew what was coming. I told myself I had to work double to achieve it.