Panama starts new coach search after 0-2 loss to England (27/06/2026)

The Panama national team, known as the Pinzóns, announced that the process to hire the next head coach is already underway. The decision follows the expiration of Thomas Christiansen's contract on June 30 and a recent 0-2 defeat to England, leaving the side with a 1W‑1D‑3L record in its last five matches.

What does the transition to a new World Cup cycle mean?

The Panamanian Football Federation (Fepafut) made it clear that the sporting project must stay above any board changes. Manuel Arias, federation president, explained that the new board, elected in December, will have the final say on the coach's continuity. This is not an interim role; the future coach will be hired under a long‑term institutional project, though his stay will depend on the incoming board.

Why is Christiansen still on the candidate list?

Arias emphasized that, although Christiansen’s contract and those of his assistants ended, the coach remains under evaluation. "The Federation is in a process of evaluating who should be that candidate, but it must do what is good for the Federation, both sportingly and administratively," he said. Christiansen’s record includes 94 matches with a 55.7% win rate, the qualification for the 2026 World Cup and the 2023 Gold Cup final.

What comes next for the Panama national team?

The next step will be selecting a candidate to lead the side in the remaining international fixtures. The new board will decide whether to confirm Christiansen or choose a different path, always with the premise of not financially binding the future administration. Meanwhile, the Pinzóns keep working on their World Cup preparation, aiming to improve form after the recent poor run.

How does this shape Panama's football future?

Keeping the sporting model continuous without tying decisions to a single individual aims to guarantee long‑term stability. Fepafut's strategy intends that any coach, whether Christiansen or a new name, can operate within a solid institutional framework, allowing the national team to keep progressing on the world stage.