Panama have managed to build a successful project ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, they were defeated by Ghana in their debut. After that, they have lost some positions in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking ahead of the match against Croatia. Panama have returned to a World Cup after eight years of absence. Head coach Thomas Christiansen has managed to impose an offensive approach based on counterattacks and possession. Nonetheless, they were defeated by Ghana in a last-minute goal, compromising their future in the tournament. After that, they have lost some positions in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking ahead of the match against Croatia. Ahead of today’s clash, Panama are ranked 40th spot with 1505.33 points, as per FIFA Men’s World Ranking. Due to their lost, they lost six spots, being one of the most affected national teams in the ranking. Under Thomas Christiansen, they have managed to make a generational transition. However, they have yet to match their highest-ever ranking, which was 29th on August of 1995. Despite their boost of competitiveness, Panamá remain the second lowest-ranked national team in their group at the 2026 World Cup. Croatia are ranked 15th spot with 1,695.21 points. Ghana hold the 65th spot with 1380.71 points. Finally, England remain the highest-ranked national team in the group, holding the 4th spot with 1847.68 points. Thomas Christiansen has managed to turn Panama into one of the strongest teams in CONCACAF. With Amir Murillo and César Blackman, they aim to exploit the space behind Croatia’s defensive line. However, they could struggle to make an impact in front of goal, as they rely heavily on Cecilio Waterman and José Luis Rodríguez, especially with Joško Gvardiol and Luka Vušković standing out for their defensive solidity. Cristian Martinez #6 of Panama shoots at goal while Gideon Mensah #14 of Ghana attempts to block. Panama must solve scoring issues to challenge Croatia Although not a top contender for the 2026 World Cup, Panama could still surprise Croatia. While Thomas Christiansen does not have midfield superiority in terms of individual quality, the team uses a five-man defensive line to launch efficient counterattacks, while also building long possessions. In that phase, they can do real damage to their opponents, but they face a key issue that must be resolved: Their lack of scoring efficiency. Unlike Croatia, they do not have forwards playing in Europe’s top leagues. Cecilio Waterman is the usual starter for the head coach and plays for U. de Concepción in Chile. Alongside him, José Fajardo, Tomás Rodríguez, and Azarías Londoño complete the forward options. However, none of them arrive in peak form for Panama, which could prove costly. As a result, they will need a standout performance, as they require at least a draw.
Santos star Neymar spoke publicly about his incident with Robinho Jr. Neymar was at the center of attention following his altercation with Robinho Jr during a Santos training session, in which the 34-year-old star struck and insulted his teammate, prompting an internal club investigation. A few days later, the situation has cooled down, and now those involved have shared their explanations. “It was a misunderstanding, a reaction, and I crossed the line,” Neymar admitted during an interview with ESPN on Tuesday. “He’s a kid I care about a lot, very deeply. I apologized right away, we talked in the locker room and understood each other… This had to be resolved internally, not the way it happened.” These remarks came after Santos’ 1-1 draw against Recoleta FC in Paraguay on Matchday 4 of the Copa Sudamericana group stage. Neymar scored his team’s only goal, as they remain bottom of Group D, though still with a chance to advance with two matches remaining. “These things happen in football,” Neymar said about his clash with Robinho Jr. “Anyone who plays football knows it happens. Fights, arguments of all kinds. That’s football. I’ve argued with friends before. I’ve had fights in the locker room many times, and everything stays there.” La celebración de Neymar con CACHETADA Y EMPUJÓN a Robinho Júnior… 😅🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/w6DoDTV0zt https://t.co/KceK7LMdJr— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) May 6, 2026 Reconciliation between Neymar and Robinho Jr appears complete According to reports, the conflict between the Santos players occurred on May 3 during a training session, when Neymar felt that Robinho Jr was mocking him after dribbling past him. The former Barcelona star reacted with a punch, a kick, and several insults. However, after acknowledging his mistake and apologizing, the situation appears to have been resolved between the two, to the point that they celebrated together in Paraguay. When Neymar scored Santos’ opener in Tuesday’s match against Recoleta FC, he embraced Robinho Jr, showing that their relationship has been repaired. What did Robinho Jr say about his conflict with Neymar? After the Copa Sudamericana match, Neymar was not the only one to address the incident that took place days earlier during Santos training. “He was man enough to admit his mistake, and I was man enough to sit down and talk. The apology is accepted,” Robinho Jr said. However, the young forward also made clear how painful the episode was for him. “I was hurt because he’s been my idol since I was a kid. The first gift he gave me was a jersey when I was eight, and I cried a lot,” Robinho Jr said.
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