Coach Hernán Darío Gómez included most of the players that led Los Canaleros to seal their first-ever ticket to the competition.

One of the best stories the 2018 FIFA World Cup will have to offer is the one that involves Panama. After a heart-breaking elimination prior to the 2014 edition of the tournament, Los Canaleros finally made it to their first World Cup, where they will try to leave a lasting impression.

Coach Hernán Darío Gómez has worked hard to get this squad to the competition, and most -if not all- of those footballers that made this happen will have the chance to play in Russia this summer. They might not be the youngest squad in the tournament, but they have the stamina to fight for a spot in the next round.

Coach's objective

Panama gets to this competition with nothing to lose. After being paired up against Belgium, England and Tunisia, the team's tactician might take a conservative approach to their games, especially when they face the European sides. If Los Canaleros can rescue one point, they will surely have cause for celebration.

New faces

Striker Ismael Díaz and youngster versatile midfielder José Luis Rodríguez will add some youth to a veteran team. Díaz has moved up the ranks in a Segunda División B side, while the 19-year-old Rodríguez plays for KAA Gent in the Belgian top flight.

Veterans

Panama will hand in what could be the oldest team to play in this World Cup. Many of their stars are over the age of thirty, including the three most capped players in La Marea Roja's history: Blas Pérez, Jaime Penedo and Gabriel Gómez. 

Major absences

Panama will get to this tournament with the best players they've got. Only when the final squad is revealed, we will be able to determine the major absence for Los Canaleros.

Full squad list

Goalkeepers: José Calderón, Jaime Penedo, Alex Rodríguez.

Defenders: Felipe Baloy, Harold Cummings, Eric Davis, Fidel Escobar, Adolfo Machado, Michael Murillo, Luis Ovalle, Román Torres.

Midfielders: Armando Cooper, Aníbal Godoy, Gabriel Gómez, Valentín Pimentel, Alberto Quintero, José Luis Rodríguez, E. Bárcenas.

Strikers: Abdiel Arroyo, Ismael Díaz, Blas Pérez, Luis Tejada, Gabriel Torres.

Panama's group stage games