---
title: "Dely Valdés Says Panama Can Follow Costa Rica’s 2014 World Cup Path"
date: 2026-04-09
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/panama-football-dely-valdes-costa-rica-2014/
categories:
  - "Sports"
tags:
  - "Costa Rica 2014"
  - "Dely Valdés"
  - "national team"
  - "Panama football"
  - "World Cup qualifying"
---

# Dely Valdés Says Panama Can Follow Costa Rica’s 2014 World Cup Path

## What Happened

Former Panama international Dely Valdés says he believes Panama can reach the level Costa Rica showed in its 2014 World Cup run. In comments about the national team’s progress, Valdés pointed to steady improvement during qualifying and suggested Panama has the potential to emulate one of the region’s most memorable modern football achievements.

Valdés framed his view around the team’s development rather than a single result, describing a side that kept getting better through the qualifying process. His remarks reflect long-running optimism around Panamanian football and the possibility of another major step forward on the international stage.

## Why the Comparison Matters

Costa Rica’s run in 2014 became a benchmark for Central American football, showing that a regional team could compete at the highest level of the World Cup. By linking Panama to that example, Valdés placed the national team in a broader conversation about progress, consistency, and ambition.

The comparison also highlights how closely football fortunes in the region are watched in Panama. Success by the national team has often carried meaning beyond sport, shaping national pride and raising expectations for future generations of players.

## What Valdés Said About Panama’s Growth

Valdés said the federation had less involvement in the past, a comment that points to changes in how the game has been managed. His remarks suggest that the structure around Panamanian football has evolved, with greater organization helping the national setup improve over time.

He also spoke in terms of belief and momentum, saying he felt Panama can achieve something similar to Costa Rica’s celebrated run. That view underscores the confidence some former players have in the current direction of the national program.

## Broader Context for Panamanian Football

Panama has spent years building its place in international football, and talk of matching Costa Rica’s 2014 success reflects how far the national team’s ambitions have come. For supporters, such comparisons are not just about nostalgia, but about whether Panama can turn steady progress into a breakthrough on the world stage.

Valdés’ comments add to the discussion around the future of Panamanian soccer and the standards the country now expects from its national team. Whether the team can reach that level will depend on continued improvement, but the former star’s confidence shows that belief in Panama’s potential remains strong.