Panama’s U-20 national team wrapped up training in Pachuca, Mexico, with the full squad in place and tactical tweaks still on the agenda before moving to Puebla for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship 2026 group stage. Head coach Mike Stump welcomed midfielder Ernesto Gómez-who arrived from the U.S. club Connecticut United FC in MLS Next Pro-and assistant Javier Sánchez Jara, who joined from Spain to bolster the staff.

What happened at camp?

The final session at La Higa fields focused on collective drills and fine-tuning with the 21-man roster, including five players based abroad. Gómez, who landed late Wednesday from the U.S., worked with the team for the first time and brings international experience as Panama eyes a berth at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027.

Sánchez Jara, assistant to Thomas Christiansen at the senior national team, praised the mood inside the squad. “I found a group full of enthusiasm, both players and staff, eager to do things right,” he said after arriving from Spain on Wednesday.

The Panamanian delegation will travel to Puebla on Friday for three group games. The team has lost its last three matches, but the coaching staff trusts the Mexico work will turn the tide.

Why does this CONCACAF U-20 matter to Panama?

The CONCACAF U-20 Championship 2026 hands direct spots for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027, and Panama’s U-20 side is chasing one of them. The regional tournament is the final exam for a group mixing local prospects with five players based overseas.

Adding Gómez and Sánchez Jara has raised the professional bar. The midfielder, who has played in U.S. leagues, arrives at a pivotal moment to add steel in midfield, while the assistant coach brings the senior team’s perspective as they build a consistent process.

What’s next for the U-20s?

Debut in the preliminary stage is just days away in Puebla, where Panama will face tough opponents in the race for qualification. Training included set-piece drills and tactical concepts the staff believes will decide matches.

With the roster set and the technical staff aligned, Panama’s U-20s head into the business end chasing a strong showing and a ticket to the 2027 U-20 World Cup. The team is backed by the Panamanian Football Federation (FPF) and hungry to fly the national flag on a global stage.

Last result: Panama 0-2 England (2026-06-27).