Panama arrives in Toronto for crucial World Cup qualifier against Croatia

Panama's national soccer team has arrived in Toronto, Canada, buzzing with anticipation for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Croatia on June 23. The team's arrival was met with enthusiastic support from dozens of Panamanian fans who gathered at their hotel, waving flags and wearing traditional attire.

The squad, led by coach Thomas Christiansen, is determined to bounce back from their opening 1-0 defeat to Ghana. Despite the initial setback, the team's atmosphere is optimistic. Midfielder Alberto Quintero emphasized the need to move past the disappointment, stating, "We have to change that sad image from the match against Croatia. Football is like that; we have to keep competing, and as a group, we are convinced we will make history in this World Cup." This tournament marks Quintero's farewell to the national team after a distinguished 19-year career.

Panama will hold a closed training session today at Centennial Park, with no media access. The match against Croatia, who also suffered a defeat in their opener (4-2 against England), is considered pivotal for both teams in Group L. The game is scheduled for June 23 at the Toronto Stadium (BMO Field). As in their previous match, Panamanian supporters are expected to rally behind their team in large numbers in Toronto.

“

We have to change that sad image from the match against Croatia. At the end, football is like that, we have to keep competing, and we as a group are convinced that in this World Cup we are going to make history.