Christiansen stays at the helm: Panama's road to World Cup 2026

The Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT) confirmed on Tuesday that Thomas Christiansen will remain as head coach of the senior national team, a crucial decision to tackle the path to World Cup 2026 on home soil. The move comes after a shaky start in qualifiers where La Marea Roja has managed just one win in its last five matches.

La Marea Roja’s last result left worrying numbers: on June 27, 2026 they fell 0-2 to England in a friendly in London. That loss extended their winless streak to three games —1W-1D-3L in the last five— a trend the coaching staff is desperate to break before the decisive duels for the ticket to Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Why Christiansen’s continuity matters

FEPAFUT justified the decision by stressing the need for stability on the bench after the exit of veteran figures like Julio Dely Valdés in 2025. Thomas Christiansen, 51, a former Danish footballer, took charge in 2024 and has been tasked with rebuilding the squad around young talents like José Fajardo and Cecilio Waterman. His high-pressing, quick-passing style aims to modernize a team still reliant on anchors like Aníbal Godoy.

The Danish coach now faces the challenge of winning back fan trust after La Marea Roja missed out on World Cup 2022 and is pinning its hopes on 2026 as a redemption arc. «We need to rack up points in qualifiers without excuses,» Christiansen said after the latest friendly.

The immediate test: ending the winless run

The schedule doesn’t wait. After the stumble against England, La Marea Roja eyes two key August fixtures: a clash with Costa Rica and another against Honduras. Both games will be vital gauges of progress before facing bigger fish like Mexico and the USA. The team’s last win came on March 12, 2026, a 1-0 friendly victory over Nicaragua.

Analysts point to defensive frailties, where the side has conceded five goals in three straight matches. Eric Davis, the team captain, admitted «we’ve got to be sharper in the details.» The pressure is now on the coaching staff to tweak tactics for a squad blending experience and youth.

What’s next for La Marea Roja?

FEPAFUT confirmed the World Cup 2026 prep will continue with friendlies in September and October, where new options will be tested. Christiansen already hinted he’ll call up players from the local league and European sides to beef up the roster. «The goal is to arrive in 2026 with a competitive unit,» he said.

Meanwhile, Panamanian fans are split between hope and skepticism. After years of heartbreak, the home World Cup is seen as the last shot for La Marea Roja to shine on the global stage. The next test, against Costa Rica on August 15, 2026, will be the first real thermometer of whether the team managed the needed turnaround.