Panama have lost every World Cup match they have ever played, and on Saturday they face England in a game that could extend that unwanted streak to six defeats in a row — equalling the longest 100% losing record in the tournament's history. For a country that only qualified for its second World Cup this year, after a debut in 2018 that ended with three straight losses including a 6-1 thrashing by England, this tournament has been a battle for pride rather than progress. Already eliminated after two group defeats, Panama's squad — the oldest and most-capped at the 2026 World Cup — are playing to salvage some dignity and perhaps cause a seismic upset against Thomas Tuchel's England side.
Panama first qualified for a World Cup in 2018, when they lost all three group games, including the heavy defeat to England. They have now lost five consecutive World Cup matches across two tournaments. Their squad for 2026 is packed with experienced players, many of whom were part of that 2018 campaign. They are the oldest team at the tournament, and the one with the most international caps. Yet they have struggled again, most recently losing to both Croatia and Ghana before their final Group L fixture against England.
“Panama's World Cup hopes explained: key players, record, and stakes vs England.”
The key player to watch is midfielder Adalberto 'Coco' Carrasquilla, who won the Concacaf men's player of the year award in 2024 — the first Panamanian to do so. He is the team's tempo-setter and creative spark, known for his ability to wriggle out of tight spaces and drive the team forward. However, he missed Panama's first two World Cup games because of a thigh muscle injury sustained in the Mexican league title decider in May. Reports indicate he is now fit enough to be involved against England. Carrasquilla trained as a hairdresser in his youth and still occasionally cuts hair when visiting family. Another key player is centre-back Jose Cordoba, who plays for Norwich City in the English Championship. Known as the "Prince of Panama" at Carrow Road, the left-footed defender was an ever-present as Panama reached the Copa America quarter-finals in 2024. He averaged 6.2 ball recoveries per 90 minutes in the 2025-26 Championship season, the most among centre-backs to play at least 750 minutes.
For UK readers, this match is primarily about England's attempt to finish top of Group L. England have already qualified for the round of 32 after a 4-2 win over Croatia and a draw with Ghana, but a win against Panama would guarantee first place, potentially avoiding stronger opponents in the next round. Panama, meanwhile, are playing for pride and to avoid equalling the longest losing streak in World Cup history. Their experienced squad includes players who feature in English football, such as Cordoba at Norwich, making their performance of interest to fans of the Championship as well.
Q: Why haven't Panama won a World Cup match? Panama have only ever qualified for two World Cups (2018 and 2026), and in both tournaments they lost all three group games. Their overall record is five defeats out of five, and a sixth would equal the longest 100% losing run in World Cup history.
Q: Who is Panama's best player? Adalberto 'Coco' Carrasquilla is considered Panama's most important player. He is a central midfielder who dictates the tempo, was named Concacaf men's player of the year in 2024, and won the Golden Ball at the 2023 Gold Cup. He has been injured but is expected to play against England.
Q: How do Panama qualify for the World Cup? Panama qualified for the 2026 World Cup through the Concacaf confederation, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. They reached the tournament for only the second time, having previously qualified in 2018.
What happens next is clear: Panama face England in their final Group L match, with kick-off scheduled for Saturday evening. If England win, they finish top of the group. For Panama, no matter the result, their World Cup ends here. The question is whether they can avoid making unwanted history.