Panama faces England in final World Cup match, aiming for first goal

The Panamanian national soccer team is set to play its final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, facing off against England in Group L. The game is scheduled for Saturday at the New Jersey stadium in East Rutherford.

Panama has already been eliminated from the tournament, having lost their opening two games against Ghana and Croatia. Despite the early exit, the team, managed by Thomas Christiansen, aims to achieve several historical milestones in this final fixture. A primary goal is to score their first goal of the World Cup, ending an offensive drought in the competition.

The "Canaleros" also seek to break a long-standing streak of 14 consecutive matches without a victory against European teams. This encounter carries historical weight, as Panama and England last met in the 2018 World Cup, where England secured a 6-1 victory. However, that match is remembered for Felipe Baloy scoring Panama's first-ever World Cup goal.

England enters the match as the group leader with four points, having secured a win against Croatia and a draw with Ghana. Conditions in East Rutherford are favorable, with temperatures around 25°C and minimal humidity. Panama will wear white, while England will don their traditional red kits. The match will be officiated by Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim.