“We came here to win”: Head coach Thomas Christiansen and Carlos Harvey address media ahead of India vs Panama
Blue Tigers will face Panama on the 25th of September.
The Indian national football team will face the Panama national football team on the 25th of September 2026 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru as a part of their busy FIFA international friendlies fixture where they will face World Cup playing nations like Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.
Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen set a clear tone ahead of his side’s upcoming friendly against India, framing the encounter as both a test of depth and a step toward future growth.
Emphasizing the need for better facilities, top-tier coaching, and international exposure for local talent, the former Leeds manager highlighted what it truly takes for a developing football nation to bridge the gap to global competition.
Here is a detailed report of the pre-match press conference of the match between India and Panama.
Thoughts on the game
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Before opening the floor open to the media, the Panama national team head coach Thomas Christiansen, and player Carlos Harvey were asked about their thoughts on the match, to which they replied;
“Well, hello everyone. It will be an exciting game that we will face tomorrow in India. First time around here, so our expectation is to make a good game, get some good sensations and of course we want also to get a good result.”
“Today is my first training session and we are going to prepare in the best way to face this game with the most seriousness. Like any other friendly match, they are going to take it with full responsibility and they are going to try to get the best result possible.” said Carlos (Transalated to English by interpretor)
On the unavailability of players
When the coach was asked about the availability of the squad citing injury concerns and issues regarding visas, he answered that calling up extra players, like another striker or two centre-backs, was impossible due to visa delays and squad limits.
However, the team atmosphere remains positive as senior and new players bond well.
“Well, my decision would have been to call some other players up. But as you know, to come here, to come to Japan, you need to get a visa and it’s not something that you can get from one day to another. So that was very difficult and we also had a squad of 24 players.”
“Of course, I would like to have another striker, two other centre-backs to complete the squad. That was not possible because of the time, of the visa and all these things. And regarding the situation in the hotel with the experienced players and the young players, it’s getting good. Good atmosphere that we have. And I also think it’s because the players who are coming have the right attitude and the players who have been there longer know also how to deal with that.”
About Indian Football
When Thomas Christiansen was asked about his thoughts on Indian Football, where he admitted his limited familiarity, and compared football’s struggle against cricket to Panama’s battle against baseball.
However, he noted India’s recent progress, and praised the quality of players like Ryan Williams.
“Well, to be honest, my information about India is not so big. I know that you also have to deal with a social situation because cricket here is the sport number one. We had it some years ago with Panama. It was also baseball focused. And this is one of the things that you have to go through. You have to fight against that to get the football on the high level. But I have seen also that the team has improved a lot in the last years. This is also because your own domestic league has improved.”
“You’ve got players from abroad to raise the level. I just met downstairs Ryan Williams. I said hello to him. He’s passed in Leeds, where I was coaching. And he’s one of the players that, when we analysed India, was the player who, in my point of view, showed that they have a good level.”
Why face India?
When asked why they scheduled the friendly match against India, the coach explained that despite initial plans to face New Zealand and Japan or Ecuador, he accepted the match to give playing time to younger talent as the national team undergoes a squad transition following the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“Well, the reason was that the president called me. In our ideal moment, we would face New Zealand and afterwards Japan or Ecuador. But he called me and said, look, we have the possibility to face India in a friendly game. On the 26th, we were first set, and then after the 25th. And I said, it could be a good possibility also for our youngsters to get many to see them.”
“We are making a change also with the national team. All the players who finished the World Cup had left. We have to look for the new coming players who are pushing strong from behind. We will give them some minutes in the game against India. That was one of the main reasons why we also accepted this game.”
How can India qualify for the World Cup?
When asked how Indian football can continue its development, the coach emphasized improving league quality, facilities, and coaching standards.
He highlighted that facing World Cup opponents in this FIFA window offers experience and introspection, helping India assess its true standing and outline the required effort to reach World Cup caliber.
“Well, the most important thing is to progress, to improve in all the senses. The league has to be better. The facilities have to be better. To give the players the best condition to improve. Getting good coaches to show the players what they need.”
“And also one of the things that you are doing well now is that you are facing three teams in this FIFA window who are participating in the World Cup. That gives you this experience to see where you are and where you have to go for the level expectation if you want to reach the World Cup. But I think it’s the ambition and the work that you need to put in if you want to reach the World Cup.”
Expectations for the game and message to India
Thomas said, “Well, in Panama there is a big expectation that we will win. But it does not matter if it is India or Argentina or Brazil. We have to win all our games. But we know that we should be on the paper the favorite. We have to admit that. But it is also different circumstances that we arrived here.”
“As I mentioned, some players just arrived. We did not have a good preparation for this game. And we will see young players. So, I do not want to take it very seriously, the result. But I will give a high level on the players, how they deliver on the pitch, their attitude and how they communicate with each other in the game. If we win, perfect. And this is also our goal. We come here to win. We will try to win all our games.”
“And he (coach) is saying that a message for India also is that if you want to improve the level, his message for the players in India is also try to go abroad, like the Panamanian players, to look for challenges and to look to make their level go bigger.” (Translated from Spanish to English by interpreter)
When will India play Panama?
India will Panama on 25 September at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Who is the head coach of Panama?
Thomas Christiansen is the head coach of Panama.
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