What happened in the clash with Croatia?

Panama fell 1‑0 to Croatia on June 23 in Group L of the 2026 World Cup, watching its dream of reaching the knockout stage disappear. The only goal came in the 54th minute, when Ante Budimir headed a Josip Stanisic cross past Jiovany Ramos. Coach Thomas Christiansen’s side could not answer, despite dominating possession at several points in the first half.

How did Panama’s performance influence the game?

Even in defeat, the Canaleros created chances. Cristian Martínez returned to the right flank, making several runs that forced goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic into a full‑stretch save. Amir Murillo delivered a precise assist to José Fajardo, who missed the clearest opportunity of the match. The lineup changed only one player from the Ghana game: Fajardo started, while Cecilio Waterman was left on the bench.

What does this mean for qualification?

With zero points from two games, Panama now relies on a favorable combination of other results and a win over England on June 27 in New York. Group L is one of the toughest, featuring Ghana (five World Cups and a 2010 quarter‑final), Croatia (2018 runners‑up) and England (2022 champions). The loss to Croatia leaves Panama with no direct qualification routes; only a massive upset in the final match could keep hopes alive.

What is the team’s recent context?

Panama’s last official result was a 1‑1 draw with Honduras on June 28, 2025. In its last five fixtures, the side posted 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss (DWWWL, most recent first). These figures highlight the challenge of maintaining consistency at the highest level.

What’s next for Panama?

The next test is a showdown with England at MetLife Stadium. Facing the pressure of needing a win and without Waterman, coach Christiansen will look to exploit Martínez’s pace and Fajardo’s vision. A victory would keep the slimmest chance of advancing alive, but the odds are steep.

Note: Information sourced from prensa‑latina.cu report dated 23‑06‑2026.