Who are the Panama players England need to look out for?

June 27, 2026 No Comments

Who are the Panama players England need to look out for?ByNoel SlineyBBC Sport senior journalistPublished14 minutes agoPanama’s second World Cup is in danger of finishing the same way as their first in 2018, when they lost all three group games – including 6-1 against England. A sixth-straight World Cup defeat on Saturday would equal the longest 100% losing record in the tournament’s history.Panama’s experienced squad – which is both the oldest and most-capped at this World Cup – are only playing for pride following their early elimination. BBC Sport has picked out five players who could be key if they are to cause a seismic upset against England.Scouting report on Panama – why England should be wary

4 hours ago

Get in touch

Send us your questions

Contact form

Adalberto ‘Coco’ Carrasquilla

Adalberto Carrasquilla has the Panama shirt and crest in his mouth as he poses for a portrait prior to the World Cup — Image caption,

Midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla won the Golden Ball award for best player at the 2023 Gold Cup

Club: UNAM, Mexico Age: 27 Position: Midfielder Caps: 73 Goals: 3

Arguably Panama’s most important player, Carrasquilla has yet to play a minute at this World Cup because of a thigh muscle injury sustained during the Mexican league title decider on 24 May.

Indications are he is now fit enough to be involved in some capacity against England.

The central midfielder is Panama’s tempo setter and creative spark, working tirelessly in and out of possession and showcasing an impressive ability to wriggle out of tight spaces and drive the team upfield.

In 2024, Carrasquilla became the first Panamanian to be named Concacaf men’s player of the year.

He trained as a hairdresser in his youth and was giving his team-mates a trim by the time he made his senior debut aged 16 for Panamanian side Tauro. Carrasquilla still occasionally cuts hair at the local barber when he is visiting family back home.

The 27-year-old’s own voluminous locks will remain intact, having pledged to shave his head if Panama won the World Cup.

Jose Cordoba

Club: Norwich City Age: 25 Position: Central defender Caps: 34 Goals: 1

The left-footed central defender has benefited hugely from a change of manager at Norwich City to become an important player for club and country.

He marked his 30th cap for Panama with his first international goal in March, converting a rebound as they beat South Africa in Cape Town.

Cordoba was an ever-present as Panama reached the Copa America quarter-finals in 2024 but his opportunities became limited as he initially struggled at Norwich.

He moved to the club for £3m two years ago after four seasons in Bulgaria. Powerful and with exceptional recovery pace, Cordoba has flourished since Philippe Clement was appointed as Norwich head coach in November.

Cordoba, known at Carrow Road as the Prince of Panama, averaged the most ball recoveries per 90 minutes (6.2) among centre-backs to play at least 750 minutes in the 2025-26 Championship season.

Fifa World Cup 2026: Panama team guide – what to expect, strengths & weaknesses
What each team need to reach World Cup knockouts

Cristian Martinez

Club: Kiryat Shmona, Israel Age: 29 Position: Midfielder Caps: 69 Goals: 2

Nicknamed El Fulo – The Blond – for his bleached hair, Martinez has also stood out for his energy and tenacity at this World Cup.

He was far from assured of a starting place coming into the tournament but, against Croatia, became the first Panamanian to win Fifa’s man-of-the-match award in a World Cup game.

“Cristian was spectacular,” reported head coach Thomas Christiansen. “He scored numbers [in various metrics] we hadn’t seen in six years.”

Martinez’s eye-catching displays this summer have come in a return to the more advanced role of his early career before he remodelled himself as a central midfielder.

A move to MLS side Columbus Crew aged 19 marked the first time he had lived anywhere outside Panama City.

Martinez scored on his debut but never settled in the USA or subsequently in Spain and has spent the past two seasons playing in Israel.

Michael Amir Murillo

Club: Besiktas Age: 30 Position: Wing-back Caps: 95 Goals: 9

Murillo was the only member of Panama’s squad to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues in 2025-26 until his sudden departure from Marseille in February.

The attacking full-back had started half of their league and Champions League games but became the fall guy for the team’s costly defensive lapses in both competitions.

Murillo, who moved to Turkish side Besiktas, has been a regular starter for Panama since his debut a decade ago and he played against England at the 2018 World Cup.

“My main strength is my mentality,” he reported.

It stems from his upbringing in a tough neighbourhood in Colon; Murillo worked odd jobs to support his mum and five siblings in their single-room home.

Cecilio Waterman

Club: Universidad de Concepcion, Chile Age: 35 Position: Forward Caps: 57 Goals: 15

The veteran forward became known to a wider audience last year after celebrating his stoppage-time winner against the USA in the Concacaf Nations League by climbing on to a TV studio platform and embracing his idol,, external Thierry Henry.

“He was there, and it came out of my heart to go hug and celebrate with him. It was totally natural,” Waterman says.

His emotions also took over in the build-up to the England game when he pushed and shoved team-mate Jose Luis Rodriguez during a disagreement on Friday.

Waterman had to be restrained by other players as he continued to take issue with Rodriguez, though head coach Thomas Christiansen played down the incident.

Waterman went six years without a cap from 2013 but has been a squad regular in recent years and is competing with Jose Fajardo for a place in the side.

Waterman started against Ghana and came on as a substitute during the defeat by Croatia.

This article is the just in from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.

Who are the Panama players England need to look out for?

Get in touch

Adalberto ‘Coco’ Carrasquilla

Jose Cordoba

Cristian Martinez

Michael Amir Murillo

Cecilio Waterman

More questions answered…

Related topics

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Get in touch

Adalberto ‘Coco’ Carrasquilla

Jose Cordoba

Cristian Martinez

Michael Amir Murillo

Cecilio Waterman

More questions answered…

Related topics

Related Posts

Leave a Reply Cancel reply