Renowned Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda is in Panama assessing the local football scene and the situation of the Panama national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. His visit included observing a training session of LPF side UMECIT FC.
Rueda, who has managed the national teams of Colombia, Honduras, Ecuador, and Chile, has a historical link to Panama. He was considered for the Panama head coach role during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, a position eventually taken by Alexandre Guimaraes. Now, as an observer, he appreciates the progress made. "The Panama national team, with professor Thomas Christiansen, has been achieving things in recent years," stated Rueda. "The games they played in the World Cup were very good, all three with decent results even if they lacked finishing, and they had significant football exposure."
How does Rueda rate the World Cup performance?
The Colombian manager acknowledged the difficulty of Panama's group at the 2026 World Cup. "Panama did this in a very, very difficult group, with teams like England, Croatia and Ghana, all of them established," he noted. The current data reflects that challenge. The Panama national team sits fourth in their World Cup group with 0 points, after three losses in three games. Their record shows 0 goals scored and 4 conceded, for a -4 goal difference. They are 7 points behind group leaders England, and their last result was a 0-2 defeat to the English on June 27. Their recent form over the last five matches is one win, one draw, and three losses, though they have lost the last three in a row.
What other engagements did Rueda have in Panama?
Beyond observing UMECIT FC's work, Reinaldo Rueda was a special guest at a conference, promoted by the Metropolitan University of Education, Science and Technology (UMECIT), which took place this Friday, September 4. The coach thanked UMECIT, doctor Nieto, coach Jorge Jaime De La Pava, doctor Juan Carlos Vásquez, and other organizers for the invitation. His visit also coincided with the LPF schedule. This Sunday, September 6, at 6:15 p.m., Alianza FC will face San Francisco FC, a match broadcast on TVMAX, TVN Pass, and the TVMAX PANAMÁ YouTube channel.
What is Panama's next competitive target?
After the tough World Cup 2026 start, the national team already has its sights set on its next official fixture. Panama will travel to face India on September 26 in an away match. This game represents a key opportunity to seek a change in momentum and add vital points in the group stage. Preparation for this clash will be essential, and analysis from experts like Rueda contributes to the debate about the team's future.
The visit of such a heavyweight figure in continental football highlights the growing interest in Panama's football development. As the national team works to improve its performance, the next match against India on September 26 marks the immediate path forward.
