What Happened
With 63 days left before Panama opens its second FIFA World Cup against Ghana, coach Thomas Christiansen has sharpened the conversation around the final 26-man squad. In a pair of interviews, he sent a direct message about form, competition and the standards required to stay in the national team setup.
The clearest warning was aimed at defender Fidel Escobar, who has recently returned after more than three months out with lower-back discomfort. Christiansen made it clear that past achievements alone will not secure a place in the World Cup roster.
“If I had to give the list today, he would not be in,” Christiansen said, adding that Escobar still has to show much more before he can be assured of a place. He stressed that the defender must regain rhythm, compete regularly and reach the level demanded by the national team.
A Larger Pool and Higher Standards
Christiansen said the coaching staff is working with an expanded player pool as the tournament approaches. Within that wider group, he noted that only Tomás Rodríguez and Escobar are currently representing Costa Rican football in the selection picture.
He framed Panama’s qualification as a reason to celebrate, but not as a reason to relax. The team, he said, is determined to do more than simply participate. The goal is to compete, perform well and represent Panama with pride on the global stage.
That ambition, according to Christiansen, is linked to how much the team has matured tactically. He said the squad now understands its roles more clearly, with each player knowing his position, attacking responsibilities, defensive duties and possible variations within the system.
He also pointed to the size of the current player base as a major step forward. Where he once saw 14 or 15 reliable options, he now sees around 30 players he trusts to step in and perform. In his view, Panama has become a more confident and winning-minded group.
What It Says About Panama’s Development
Christiansen also touched on the broader reality facing Panamanian footballers. He said that anyone who wants to make a professional living from the sport in Panama usually has to leave the country, and that this comes with sacrifice.
At the same time, he called for stronger support for the domestic league. He argued that the competition can only grow if more fans go to stadiums, if facilities improve and if players receive better conditions, including nutrition, infrastructure and development support. He also linked progress to greater backing from both institutions and private investors.
The coach recalled the conditions he found when he arrived in 2020, saying there were GPS tools available but they were not being used for analysis, a sign of how much methodology needed to improve. Since then, he said, the program has evolved significantly.
Christiansen also acknowledged the spiritual side of the squad, referring to the prayers players share after matches in the center circle. He said faith can provide an extra edge, even a small one, and that such belief can matter at the highest level.
Panama’s road to the World Cup now enters its final stretch with selection decisions becoming more decisive. For Christiansen, reputation will not be enough: current level, competition and readiness will decide who goes to the tournament.