What Happened
Panama women’s national team coach María Antonia “Toña” Is Piñera says the team has reached a decisive stage in its development, with results that reflect clear progress and a growing ability to compete against stronger opponents in the region.
Is said the squad is focused on the path toward the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, calling the next stretch of competition a major opportunity for Panamanian football.
Signs of Progress
Under Is, Panama has played 15 matches and posted 11 wins, two draws and two losses. She pointed to those numbers as evidence that the team’s work is paying off, especially after the group had gone nearly a year without a victory before her arrival.
Among the results she highlighted was a win over Australia, along with competitive performances against teams such as Venezuela, which sits higher in the FIFA rankings. For Is, those matches show that Panama is no longer an easy opponent.
“We want it to be difficult to beat us,” she said, stressing that the team has learned to compete against a wide range of styles and levels.
Building Confidence in a Young Squad
Is said one of her biggest tasks has been restoring confidence to a squad made up mostly of young players, many of them 24 years old or younger. She described that process as both technical and emotional, with constant encouragement playing a central role.
She explained that some players need more demanding guidance, while others require more support, and that part of her job has been understanding each player well enough to bring out the best version of her.
The coach said the human side of management has been essential in a long and intense process, especially with players who need reassurance and motivation during extended training camps.
A New Level of Ambition
Panama made its first Women’s World Cup appearance at Australia and New Zealand 2023, a milestone that Is says changed the team’s status in the region. In her view, reaching that stage means Panama has already earned respect and should now be seen as a serious contender.
She said the team wants opponents to recognize Panama as a tough side, not a surprise package. That belief is now tied to the squad’s next major challenge: a decisive match against Canada on Nov. 28 at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium.
The winner could secure a place at both the World Cup and the Olympics, turning one match into one of the most important in Panama’s women’s football history.
A Match With Historic Stakes
Is said Canada enters under greater pressure as a team in FIFA’s top 10, while Panama can approach the match with less to lose and more to gain. She described the contest as a final and said the key will be controlling nerves while maintaining intensity.
She also acknowledged the emotional weight of what is at stake, saying that the possibility of qualifying for both tournaments gives her goosebumps. For Panama, she said, a successful result would be historic not only for the sport but for the country.
Even with the possibility of a playoff route still in play, Is said Panama will go after direct qualification first. Her message to the team is simple: keep working, stay united and keep fighting until the final whistle.