Yankees player Caballero boasts Panama's World Cup qualification to teammates

José 'Chema' Caballero, a Panamanian baseball player for the New York Yankees, is proudly sharing his country's soccer World Cup qualification with his teammates. Caballero attended a training session for Panama's national soccer team in Canada and spoke about the pride surrounding their achievement.

He mentioned that the topic of Panama's qualification for the 2026 World Cup is frequently discussed in the Yankees' clubhouse. Caballero humorously contrasted this success with the baseball team's performance in the World Baseball Classic, stating, "There are those who were better than us in the World Baseball Classic, and now I get to boast that we are in both World Cups, you know? And they are not."

Caballero also expressed his admiration for the Panamanian soccer team, managed by Thomas Christiansen. He called the qualification process challenging but rewarding, emphasizing how the team proudly represented the nation's colors. He looks forward to interacting with the players and learning more about their journey.

When asked about a player he identifies with, Caballero pointed to midfielder Alberto 'Negrito' Quintero, appreciating his consistent presence and impact on the field, much like Caballero's own approach with the Yankees. He also reflected on his own potential path in soccer, noting a preference for offensive roles involving scoring or assisting.

Caballero is the second Major League Baseball player to visit the Panamanian squad before their World Cup debut, following catcher Iván Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals. Panama is set to compete in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Ghana, with their opening match against Ghana scheduled for June 17.