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World Cup 2026| Aníbal Godoy on Panama's arrival in Toronto: 'This is what we were waiting for'
🇵🇦 Panama /Sports

World Cup 2026| Aníbal Godoy on Panama's arrival in Toronto: 'This is what we were waiting for'

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Panama's national soccer team captain, Aníbal Godoy, expressed enthusiasm upon the team's arrival in Toronto for the final preparations for the World Cup.
  • Godoy stated that the team is in good spirits and ready to focus on their upcoming matches.
  • He believes the recent friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina accurately reflects the team's current capabilities for their opening game.

Panama's national soccer team captain, Aníbal Godoy, has arrived in Toronto and expressed his excitement as the team enters the final stages of preparation for the World Cup.

It's really nice to be here fully now. You can feel the atmosphere. I think this is what we were waiting for: to be in this camp and continue preparing.

— Aníbal GodoyGodoy expresses his enthusiasm upon arriving in Toronto for World Cup preparations.

"It's really nice to be here fully now. You can feel the atmosphere. I think this is what we were waiting for: to be in this camp and continue preparing," Godoy stated, highlighting the team's positive morale and readiness. He emphasized that the team's collective spirit is high as they look forward to the tournament.

Godoy views the recent friendly match against Bosnia-Herzegovina as a crucial benchmark for assessing the team's current form. "I think the game against Bosnia is a reflection of how the group is for the first match. Things are going very well and on the right track," he said, noting the seriousness with which the team has approached its pre-tournament commitments.

I think the game against Bosnia is a reflection of how the group is for the first match. Things are going very well and on the right track.

— Aníbal GodoyGodoy assesses the team's readiness based on their recent friendly match.

Reflecting on the team's evolution since their historic participation in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Godoy pointed to the enhanced cohesion and maturity within the squad. He described the team as having formed a "family" both on and off the field, which he believes has been key to their collective performance. "Beyond the individual talents we have, I think that has been the key: the group," he added, emphasizing the importance of unity and shared passion.

A family has formed not only on the field but also off it, and that has contributed to the collective performance.

— Aníbal GodoyGodoy describes the team's strong bond and its impact on their play.

The Panamanian squad will be based at the Nottawasaga Inn Resort and Conference Centre during their stay in Canada. Their opening match of the 2026 World Cup is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, against Ghana in Toronto. The game will be broadcast on TVN, TVMAX, TVN Pass, and TVN Radio 96.5 FM.

Beyond the individual talents we have, I think that has been the key: the group.

— Aníbal GodoyGodoy emphasizes the importance of teamwork over individual skill.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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