Panama's Doleguita Team Heads to 2026 Little League World Series After 33-Year Wait

For the second consecutive year, Panama has secured a direct spot in the Little League World Series, traditionally held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This time, the U-12 team from Doleguita, Chiriquí, will proudly represent the nation, ending a 33-year wait for the region.

Doleguita Little League earned the representation of Chiriquí by winning the provincial youth baseball tournament. This victory propelled them into the 50th national championship for the category, held from March 7-20 in Panama City. Competing in Group B alongside other regional teams, Doleguita dominated their preliminary matches, advancing to the Super Round with an undefeated record.

In the Super Round, Doleguita faced tougher competition. After losing their initial two games, the Chiriquí representatives rallied to win three consecutive matches. This streak tied them with Herrera and Coclé, necessitating tie-breaker games, which Doleguita ultimately won. Their strong performance secured them the second finalist position, trailing only Panama Oeste, which finished the Super Round undefeated.

The final series proved to be another intense battle. After dropping the first game 2-3, Doleguita fought back to win the second game 8-7. A decisive third game followed, where Doleguita emerged victorious, clinching their place in the World Series. This will be Doleguita's second appearance at the Little League World Series; their first was in 1993, where they achieved a second-place finish as the Latin American representative, marking the best performance by a Panamanian team to date.