---
title: "Panama Names 42-Player U23 Baseball Pre-Selection for World Cup"
date: 2026-09-10
author: "Panama Daily News"
url: https://panamadaily.news/2026/09/10/panama-names-42-player-u23-baseball-pre-selection-for-world-cup/
categories:
  - "Sports"
---

# Panama Names 42-Player U23 Baseball Pre-Selection for World Cup

Panama has taken its first major step toward the upcoming U23 Baseball World Cup, unveiling a 42-man pre-selection squad led by manager Aníbal Reluz. The roster is drawn entirely from players who competed in the recently concluded national championship, which wrapped up on September 8.

## What Happened

The Panamanian Baseball Federation announced that a group of 42 players has been called up to form the country’s pre-selection for the next U23 World Cup in the category. All of the chosen athletes participated in the national championship, which ended on September 8, giving selectors a recent and competitive stage on which to evaluate the country’s top young talent.

The squad will be guided by manager Aníbal Reluz, who takes charge of shaping the group into a final roster capable of representing Panama on the world stage. Over the coming weeks, the pre-selection is expected to be trimmed as coaching staff assess form, fitness and tactical fit ahead of the international tournament.

## Background

Baseball is Panama’s most beloved sport, deeply woven into the national identity and responsible for producing some of the country’s most celebrated athletes, including Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera and former major leaguers such as Rod Carew and Carlos Lee. The U23 category has grown in importance worldwide as a bridge between youth baseball and the professional ranks.

Panama’s national championship serves as the primary domestic proving ground for young players. With 42 athletes earning call-ups from that tournament, the selection reflects a nationwide scouting effort aimed at building a competitive team from homegrown talent — a point of pride for a country that consistently exports players to Major League Baseball organizations.

## What This Means for Panama

The announcement signals the formal start of Panama’s World Cup preparations. Fans will now watch closely as Reluz and his staff work through the pre-selection process, with roster cuts and final squad decisions looming as the tournament approaches.

For the players involved, the call-up represents a significant opportunity: a strong showing at the U23 World Cup can open doors to professional contracts abroad and, potentially, future appearances with Panama’s senior national team. For Panamanian baseball as a whole, a deep run in the tournament would reinforce the country’s standing in the international baseball community and inspire the next generation of players across the nation’s provinces.

The key dates to watch are the reduction of the 42-man list to a final roster and Panama’s opening game of the World Cup, when the team will carry the hopes of one of baseball’s most passionate nations.

This story was originally reported by [TVN 2](https://www.tvn-2.com/tvmax/beisbol-nacional/beisbol-u23-panama-preseleccion-mundial-nicaragua-2026_1_2260269.html).