The Panama national football team is focusing on upcoming September and October international friendlies, while several of its players are involved in club moves following the 2026 World Cup. According to La Estrella de Panamá, four of the 26 Panamanian World Cup players have changed clubs in the transfer window, a direct effect of the global tournament.
The national team, sitting fourth in its World Cup group with zero points from three losses, is looking to rediscover its best form. Its next fixture is a friendly against India on September 26 in Bengaluru. Panama's recent form reads one win, one draw, and three losses in its last five matches.
What friendlies will Panama play in 2026?
The September-October international window brings a demanding series of tests for the Panama national team. The side managed by Thomas Christiansen will face three high-level opponents in under two weeks. The journey begins on September 26 with a trip to India, a match that will serve as preparation for subsequent duels against South American giants.
Later, the Canal Men will take on Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6, both matches in the city of Kolkata. These friendlies represent a valuable opportunity for Panama, which scored zero goals and conceded four in the World Cup group stage, to test its level against world champions. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page.
Which Panamanian players changed clubs?
A FIFA report highlighted by La Estrella de Panamá reveals that 267 footballers who played in the 2026 World Cup found new clubs. Among them are four Panamanians: Jorge Gutiérrez, Tomás Rodríguez, Cristian Martínez, and Yoel Bárcenas. The most notable move is that of Cristian Martínez, who left Israeli football to sign for Slovakia's Slovan Bratislava, a club with which he will make his UEFA Champions League debut.
Yoel Bárcenas, aged 31, returns to Europe to play for Greece's Iraklis, recently promoted to the top flight. Meanwhile, Jorge Gutiérrez joined Peru's Universitario de Deportes and Tomás Rodríguez signed for Ecuador's Barcelona. These moves, which total over $2.8 billion in the global market, show the positive impact of the World Cup on the careers of Panamanian internationals.
Why did Khalid Jamil not call up Sunil Chhetri?
India's national team coach, Khalid Jamil, explained in an interview with PTI why he did not include legend Sunil Chhetri for the friendlies against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay. Jamil asked for respect for the striker, stating that the decision to retire from the national team was made freely by Chhetri himself. "I didn't force him. He came and said he wanted to stop. I didn't force him either," the coach stated.
Jamil praised Chhetri's behavior and career, urging everyone to follow his example. The match between India and Panama in Bengaluru will therefore be the first-ever meeting between the two sides and a test for the Asian team's renewal process. The lineup Panama fields can be checked in our squad section.
How did the U-15 team fare in Mexico?
Panama's U-15 national team finished its participation in an international tournament at the FMF High Performance Center in Mexico City with a positive record. Coached by manager César Aguilar, the Panamanian youngsters achieved two wins and one loss, finishing second behind host Mexico. They beat the USA's Houston Dynamo 2-1 and the Peru national team by the same scoreline, and lost 3-0 to the Mexican side.
Forward Ronaldo Jiménez scored a brace in the win over Dynamo. This tournament served as preparation for the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 22 to 31. During the match against Dynamo, senior team midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla was present supporting the youth players.
What is happening with Estevis López at Veraguas United?
Panamanian youth player Estevis López was sanctioned by Veraguas United and relegated to the reserve team. The outlet reported the sanction is due to an internal "administrative issue" at the club. This measure means López, despite his quality for the first team, will not be available for the LPF match against Árabe Unido on September 4, as regulations prevent him from playing in both categories in the same matchweek.
This is the second time in a short period that López has made news off the field. He was previously removed from the Panama U-20 national team during the category's pre-World Cup tournament in July. Veraguas United has not yet issued an official statement on this internal matter. The Panama senior national team, which ended its World Cup participation with a 0-2 loss to England, faces its next challenge on September 26 in India.
