Waterman: Panama must fix many issues for World Cup

Panama's 4-2 victory over the Dominican Republic was overshadowed by forward Cecilio Waterman's calls for significant team improvements ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite scoring in the match, Waterman emphasized that the team has crucial aspects to refine before their World Cup debut.

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We have to correct things. We were up against Brazil, a rival that practically made no mistakes, and now we find ourselves in a different kind of match. We have to work on many things for what we want and what we aspire to.

"We have to correct things," Waterman stated after the game at the Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez. "We were up against Brazil, a rival that practically made no mistakes, and now we find ourselves in a different kind of match. We have to work on many things for what we want and what we aspire to."

The striker stressed the collective goal of reaching the World Cup in the best possible condition to compete at the highest level. "We want to win at the World Cup, we want to win that first match, and for that, we have to correct strongly. We all have to work a lot in these remaining days before the competition," he affirmed.

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We want to win at the World Cup, we want to win that first match, and for that, we have to correct strongly. We all have to work a lot in these remaining days before the competition.

Waterman also urged Panamanian fans to unite and provide positive energy for the national team's historic World Cup appearance. "The positive thing is to unite the country. We want Panama to unite, to give us that positive energy to go with great strength to face the World Cup. That is one of the most important things for us," he expressed.

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The positive thing is to unite the country. We want Panama to unite, to give us that positive energy to go with great strength to face the World Cup. That is one of the most important things for us.

He downplayed his personal goal, focusing instead on the team's collective effort under coach Thomas Christiansen. "Goals are things that happen in matches, but one focuses on the team's work. I am enjoying these moments, sharing with my teammates and taking advantage of every instant. We have a very united group, and that is fundamental for what's to come," Waterman commented. The team is set to travel to the United States for further preparation, including a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, before their World Cup opener against Ghana.

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Goals are things that happen in matches, but one focuses on the team's work. I am enjoying these moments, sharing with my teammates and taking advantage of every instant. We have a very united group, and that is fundamental for what's to come.