Indian Football Team Rival Watch: Panama
The Blue Tigers will face Panama, Brazil & Uruguay in the September-October FIFA international window.
While leagues around the globe pause for the first international break of the season, Indian football and its players will enter the September–October international window without a domestic season underway, as both the ISL 2026-27 and Indian Football League 2026-27 are set to begin only in October.
A handful of the players in the Indian national team camp have featured in the Durand Cup and a few club friendlies here and there so far this season. However, they are now in for a wonderful opportunity as they prepare to play three major international friendlies in this window against teams that featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While much of the hype has surrounded the friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay in Kolkata, the game Indian football fans are looking towards with realistic hopes of securing at least a draw is the opening fixture against Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on September 25, 2026.
While Panama are neither as famous nor as decorated as Brazil and Uruguay, they remain one of the strongest nations in the CONCACAF region. They finished as the runners-up in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League. They also featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Panama are miles ahead of India in the FIFA rankings, with the Blue Tigers currently placed 138th, while the Canal Men sit in the top 50 at 44th. This alone highlights the challenge India will face at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
With just three days remaining before the first of India’s three major international fixtures, let’s take a closer look at Panama, examining their recent form, players to watch out for and head coach.
Recent form
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
Panama’s recent form has been an area of concern as the team have won just twice in the 10 games they have played this year. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Canal Men played three friendlies to step-up their preparations for the iconic tournament.
While they were able to win against the Dominican Republic, they lost 6-2 to Brazil and settled for a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they were placed in a tougher group as they had England, Croatia and Ghana as the other three teams in their group.
Also Read: Panama announce 27-member squad for September-October FIFA international window
They ended up losing all their games, with the defeat against Ghana being the most heartbreaking, as they lost to Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time winner.
After their disastrous performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Panama will be playing their first international match against India.
Who is Panama’s head coach?
Panama are currently managed by Spanish head coach Thomas Christiansen, who has been with the national team since 2020. The former Leeds United manager has been in charge of the country for 94 games and currently holds the record for the longest-serving manager in the nation’s history.
Christiansen has led Panama to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has also led them to finish as runners-up in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League. Overall, he maintains a 46% winning percentage as the head coach of the Panama national team, winning 43 times while losing 28 times.
Players to Watchout
Jose Cordoba
Jose Cordoba, the central defender who plies his trade for Norwich City in the EFL Championship, is a left-footed, ball-playing centre-back who excels at playing out from the back. He has made 35 appearances for the national team since making his international debut in 2022.
Cordoba is an excellent asset to have at the back, as he is one of the best when it comes to winning ground duels and putting in strong tackles. Although he has played as a center-back for the majority of his career, he can also slot in at left-back when required.
Cordoba played the full 90 minutes in all three of Panama’s games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Adalberto Carrasquilla
Carrasquilla, a box-to-box midfielder by trade, is an extremely versatile player who can slot in anywhere in the middle of the park. With captain Yoel Barcenas absent from the squad, it is vital for head coach Thomas Christiansen to have Carrasquilla back in the team, especially after the midfielder played zero minutes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup while recovering from an adductor tear.
Carrasquilla is a midfield engine who controls the tempo of the game with his composure on the ball and his ability to remain press-resistant and play through opposition pressure. He possesses excellent vision and the technical ability to operate as a deep-lying playmaker. He was also named the 2023–24 CONCACAF Men’s Player of the Year.
Carrasquilla currently plays his club football for UNAM Pumas in the Mexican league.
Jose Fajardo
Jose Fajardo has scored the most goals for Panama in the current national team set-up and is among the top 10 goalscorers in the country’s history. Fajardo plays his club football in Ecuador for C.D. Universidad Catolica.
The striker is the focal point of Panama’s attack, possessing brilliant movement inside the box and making well-timed runs. He also offers excellent hold-up and link-up play, while showcasing the energy required to consistently press opposition defenders.
Fajardo is currently enduring a goalless run for the national team, having failed to score in his last nine games. What better opportunity to get his name back on the scoresheet than a friendly against a lower-ranked opponent like India?
Who is the head coach of Panama?
Panama are currently being managed by head coach Thomas Christiansen, who has been with the national team since 2020.
When will India take on Panama?
The match between India and Panama will take place on 25th September at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.