Panama’s World Cup Journey: A Nation United in Pride

***Editor's Note***

We are excited to share that this story was first published by Newsroom Panama. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to one of Panama's leading English-language publications and to share our experiences living in Panama during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Day Panama Earned Its Place

If you did not know by now, Panama officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on November 18, 2025. From that day forward, excitement swept across the country and only continued to grow. The cheering, celebrations, and sense of national pride could be felt everywhere.

Residents, business owners, politicians, and even expats who now call Panama home could hardly contain their joy. Everyone was proud of the team, proud of Panama, and proud of what this small but determined country represented on the world stage. Simply put, we could not have been more excited.

A Country Comes Together

When the World Cup began, and Panama played its first match against Ghana, it seemed as though the entire country stopped to watch. Every mall, home, bar, restaurant, business, and public park had crowds gathered around televisions. Government offices even closed early on game days so employees could support the national team. Everywhere you looked, there were celebrations, watch parties, parades, and gatherings filled with hope and enthusiasm.

The streets became a sea of red as people proudly wore replica Panama World Cup jerseys. It was truly a beautiful sight to witness. While Wayne and I never purchased a jersey ourselves, we proudly wore our Panama baseball caps to show support for our second home and retirement country. Even at my Zumba classes, nearly every participant arrived dressed in Panama-themed shirts, hats, and accessories.

In the words of Tina Turner, “It was simply the best.”

More Than Wins and Losses

Of course, sports can be unpredictable. Panama lost 1-0 to Ghana on June 17, 2026, and then suffered another hard-fought 1-0 loss to Croatia on June 23, 2026. Those results ended Panama's World Cup run and prevented the team from advancing to the next stage of the tournament. Yet despite those losses, something remarkable remained unchanged—the pride.

The same pride people felt on November 18, 2025, when Panama qualified for the World Cup, remained after the final whistle. The country stood behind its team just as strongly as it had during the qualification celebrations. After all, Panama's previous World Cup appearance came in 2018 at the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Simply qualifying again was an incredible achievement and a testament to the growth of Panamanian football.

As the saying goes, "Every setback is a setup for a comeback."

We have no doubt that Panama will qualify again someday. The team, the coaches, and the nation have every reason to be proud of what they accomplished. Their journey inspired millions and proved once again that determination and heart can take a nation a long way.

Proud to Call Panama Home

Although Wayne and I are not citizens of this amazing country, we could not be happier or prouder of Team Panama, its people, and the unwavering support shown throughout this journey. Many may not have expected Panama to reach this level of international competition, yet they did—and they represented their country with courage and determination. In many ways, every game felt like a glimpse into the future. A reminder that the best may still be ahead.

As expats, we celebrate Team Panama with gratitude, admiration, and love. We celebrate the spirit of a nation that rallied together, believed together, and proudly stood behind its team every step of the way. This journey will undoubtedly become part of Panama's history.

Thank You, Team Panama!

Thank you for inspiring a nation.

Thank you for giving people something to rally around.

Thank you for reminding us that success is not measured only by victories on the scoreboard, but by the pride, unity, and hope that a team can bring to an entire country.

We were honored to cheer alongside you.

¡Vamos Panamá!

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