Panama's Jiovany Ramos: 'I have to work twice as hard' for World Cup dream

Jiovany Ramos, a player for the Panama national team, has opened up about the challenges he faced before earning a call-up for the 2026 World Cup. Ramos recalled a period in 2024 when his performance dipped while playing for Alianza Lima in Peru, leading him to return to Panama.

Despite the setback, Ramos received a call from the Panamanian national team. He described accepting the call as a risk he took, admitting it was initially a "bad decision" to leave Peru under those circumstances.

However, Ramos set a clear goal for himself: to work twice as hard to secure his spot on the team. This dedication has paid off, as he is now part of the squad preparing for Panama's second World Cup appearance.

His commitment was evident in two friendly matches against South Africa in March, which Panama won 2-1 after a 1-1 draw in the first game. Ramos expressed his desire to perform well in the World Cup to achieve better things in life. He shared these thoughts during a press conference ahead of the team's training session at the Nottawasaga Training Site in Canada, where Panama is preparing for their June 17th debut against Ghana in Toronto.