Midfielder · #0 · England · 34 yrs
Former Manchester City midfielder Izzy Christiansen says she is excited for "a new era" under Enzo Maresca, but believes patience will be key as the Italian adjusts to his new job at Etihad Stadium. "The signing of Elliot Anderson is absolutely terrific," Christiansen told BBC Radio Manchester.
What is Panama's current FIFA World Ranking for the 2026 World Cup? See where they stand ahead of their final Group L clash against 4th-ranked England. The Panama FIFA ranking sits at a live, updated position of 42nd in the world as Los Canaleros prepare to wrap up their highly demanding Group L schedule against global giants England. While Thomas Christiansen’s tactical unit officially entered the 2026 World Cup bracket occupying a respectable 34th position, the merciless nature of tournament math has caused an immediate downward shift. Tracking these live Elo-based alterations highlights the uphill climb Panama faces to protect their international prestige. The Central American representatives enter the pitch at Snapdragon Stadium burdened by a difficult start to their campaign. Back-to-back 1-0 defeats against Ghana and Croatia completely erased their margin for error, causing a six-place slide on the live coefficient tables. The Group L elephant in the room While Panama’s slide to 42nd reflects a team struggling to find the back of the net, the statistical gulf becomes even wider when looking at an England side firmly entrenched at 4th place globally. The current standings layout in Group L outlines the stark competitive divide ahead of kickoff: Group L standings & global rank CountryLive FIFA RankMatches PlayedPointsGoal DifferenceEngland4th24+2Ghana65th24+1Croatia13th23-1Panama42nd20-2 Historic trajectory To place Panama’s current 42nd position into clear perspective, the nation’s soccer history reveals an era of massive structural growth. Los Canaleros drifted at a highly difficult all-time floor of 150th in the world back in 1999. Through meticulous youth development and a sustained tactical identity under Christiansen, they eventually soared to a historic all-time peak of 29th globally. Facing the Three Lions under their current ranking profile presents a forgiving mathematical environment. Because the FIFA algorithm protects lower-ranked underdogs while heavily penalizing top-five favorites, Panama has nothing to lose; a loss barely impacts their point accumulation, while a shock result against England would trigger an immediate coefficient boost.
The match between Panama and Croatia in Group L of the 2026 World Cup has Luka Modric from the beginning. With Panama and Croatia both looking for their first win at the 2026 World Cup, this match could go a long way toward shaping Group L, as Luka Modric is expected to start. For Croatia, their first match was the toughest one, as they had England on the fixture. However, even with the talent of their rivals, the performance was not the best, and they were beaten 4-2. This match looks like a great chance to redeem themselves against a weaker team. Panama’s debut was almost historic, as they came very close to earning a point until Ghana scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Their goal of reaching the next round may now look out of reach with the teams in the group. Panama vs Croatia lineups The lineup that Thomas Christiansen confirmed for Panama is this one: Mosquera, Blackman, Cordoba, Ramos, Harvey, Andrade, Murillo, Martinez, Rodriguez, Barcenas and Fajardo. Modric didn’t complete the first match (Michael Reaves/Getty Images) On the Croatia side, Zlatko Dalić chose this lineup: Livakovic, Stanisic, Pongracic, Gvardiol, Sutalo, Kovacic, Modric, Baturina, Perisic, Pasalic and Musa. Their final matches For the final match of the group, which will decide the teams reaching the next round on June 27, Panama are playing against England while Croatia meet Ghana. England currently lead Group L with 4 points and a +2 goal difference, followed by Ghana with 4 points and a +1 goal difference. Panama are third with 0 points and a -1 goal difference, while Croatia are last with 0 points and a -2 goal difference.
Full preview of Panama for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. As one of the most intriguing international soccer teams 2026 has to offer, the Panama national team enters the competition carrying a new level of expectation. Far from the roster that struggled through its 2018 debut, Los Canaleros have evolved into a formidable presence among FIFA World Cup 2026 teams. Currently ranked 33rd globally, they arrive in North America boasting recent deep runs in regional competitions and a more sophisticated possession-based approach. Fans can expect a battle-hardened squad capable of frustrating technically superior opponents. This World Cup 2026 team preview breaks down how the Central American side plans to navigate a difficult group stage. We provide a complete Panama tactical analysis, highlight the Panama key players to watch, and assess how the Panama coach transformed their qualification campaign. Team profile CoachThomas ChristiansenNicknameLos CanalerosFIFA ranking33rdConfederationCONCACAFGroupLBest World Cup resultGroup stageWorld Cup appearances2Last World Cup appearance2018 How Panama play Under their current setup, the preferred Panama formation relies on a European-style possession model that prioritizes building from the back. The team averaged an impressive 61.9% possession during their qualifiers, leaning heavily on positional play principles to dictate the tempo against regional opponents. In possession, their midfield serves as the primary engine for launching dangerous counter-attacks. They excel at circulating the ball in tight spaces, though converting sustained possession into goals remains a frustrating challenge. Despite creating 40 big chances in qualification, the team struggled with finishing, missing 29 of those premium opportunities. Defensively, the squad operates within a compact block designed to keep opponents at arm’s length. They recorded five shutouts in their qualifying run, demonstrating solid organization and resilience However, their progressive passing and defensive structure can falter when facing high-pressing elite teams. If their attacking players can capitalize on transition moments, this tactical approach could keep them competitive against the tougher opposition waiting in the group stage. Thomas Christiansen: The coach behind Panama Thomas Christiansen has managed the national team since 2020, guiding the program through a significant tactical transformation. The former Leeds United boss initially faced challenges, including missing out on the previous global tournament after a heavy defeat to the United States. Despite early setbacks, Christiansen successfully instilled a possession-oriented philosophy inspired by his playing days at Barcelona. His leadership yielded a runner-up finish at the 2023 Gold Cup and a trip to the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League finals. Known for his tactical flexibility, Christiansen understands that dominating the ball against global heavyweights is unrealistic. His pragmatic adjustments and calm demeanor have earned him immense respect among supporters. His ability to adapt defensive structures on the fly will directly shape how the team navigates their challenging summer schedule. Key player: Adalberto Carrasquilla Adalberto Carrasquilla is the undisputed engine in the center of the field for the national team. The Pumas midfielder recently made history as the first Panamanian to be named CONCACAF Player of the Year in 2024, following his Golden Ball performance at the 2023 Gold Cup. Operating as a central playmaker, Carrasquilla utilizes his exceptional vision and passing range to launch quick counter-attacks. He frequently dictates the pace of the game, helping his side maintain possession while identifying gaps in the opposition’s defense. Beyond his technical skills, his relentless work rate is crucial for winning the ball back in transition. If opponents manage to press him out of the ga
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