Panama's Under-17 national team has finalized its schedule of friendly matches in Spain as final preparation for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The squad will travel to Salou, in Catalonia's Tarragona province, to face three other qualified teams.
Their last result was a 2-0 defeat to England on June 27. Head coach Felipe Baloy will use these matches to fine-tune his side before the global tournament begins.
The training camp in Spain will run from September 24 to October 1. All activities will be centered in the coastal town of Salou. This municipality in Tarragona is known for its sports facilities and has hosted preparations for other international teams. The location allows for optimal isolation for tactical work.
Panama will play its three matches at this venue. The first game is against Australia on September 24. Two days later, on September 26, they will face Morocco. Panama's participation will conclude against Vietnam on September 30. The friendly tournament includes other matches between these opponents after Panama returns home.
The three chosen opponents offer varied challenges and represent different playing styles. Australia, qualified for the World Cup, is in Group C with Argentina, Denmark, and Mozambique. Morocco, meanwhile, shares Group H with Spain, China, and Fiji. Vietnam is in Group G with Mali, New Zealand, and Belgium.
This block of matches is critical for Baloy to assess his squad against competition from different confederations. The experience against teams from Asia, Africa, and Oceania will be invaluable. The preparation window is short, so every minute in Spain counts. Players must demonstrate their ability to adapt quickly.
The Panama U-17 national team faces a challenging moment in its process. Their recent form over the last five games is one win, one draw, and three losses. They have lost their last three consecutive matches. So far this season, the record shows 0 goals scored and 4 conceded, for a -4 goal difference.
The next official fixture for the senior national team, which provides context for the country's football environment, is a home friendly against New Zealand on October 1. Fans can follow all national team activity on our fixtures page and check detailed data in the stats section.
In the final phase of the U-17 World Cup, Panama was drawn in Group A. Their opponents will be host nation Qatar, Egypt, and Greece. Their World Cup debut is scheduled for November 19 against Qatar. The second group match will be against Greece on November 22. The group stage will conclude on November 25 with the clash against Egypt.
The global tournament will be held from November 19 to December 13 in Qatar. The tour of Spain, therefore, is the final preparatory step before embarking on the journey to the Middle East. Baloy's objective is to arrive with a cohesive and confident team, aiming to reverse the current negative streak. The work done in Salou will define the squad's morale to take on the biggest challenge for these promising talents of Panamanian football.
