World Cup 48-Team Preview: Midfield Core Carrasquilla Leads Panama to Second Appearance

Panama is preparing for its second-ever appearance in the FIFA World Cup finals, having secured their spot in the 2026 tournament. The team's qualification marks a significant achievement, establishing them as a top Central American power and the sole representative from the region in this edition.

Their path to the finals involved a strong performance in the CONCACAF qualifiers, where they topped Group A. This success follows their previous World Cup debut in the 2018 Russia tournament. The team is eager to prove their readiness to compete on the global stage.

Leading Panama's midfield is Adalberto Carrasquilla, a key playmaker for the team. Carrasquilla, who plays professionally for Pumas, is set to make his World Cup debut. He is expected to be the driving force in the team's midfield, orchestrating play and connecting different lines of attack.

Several veterans from the 2018 World Cup squad are also included, such as defenders Amir Murillo, Eric Davis, and Fidel Escobar, along with goalkeeper Luis Mejía. The squad also features a mix of established players and emerging talent across all positions, from goalkeepers like Orlando Mosquera and César Samudio to forwards like Ismael Díaz and Cecilio Waterman.