England and Panama meet for only the second time in history as the Three Lions look to secure top spot in Group L

England and Panama are set to face off in their final Group L fixture at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with plenty still at stake. England enter the contest unbeaten and know that a victory would confirm their place at the top of the group heading into the Round of 32.

Panama, meanwhile, are still searching for their first points of the tournament after narrow defeats to Ghana and Croatia and will be aiming to end their campaign on a high with what would be one of the biggest results in the nation’s football history.

Although the two sides have crossed paths only once before, that previous encounter produced one of England’s most celebrated FIFA World Cup victories.

Panama vs England: All time head-to-head record

England and Panama have met just once in international football, with that meeting coming during the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The Three Lions completely dominated the contest, recording a 6-1 victory to book their place in the knockout rounds. Panama, however, celebrated a memorable moment of their own when they scored their first-ever FIFA World Cup goal, making the match historic for both nations.

• Matches played: 1
• England wins: 1
• Panama wins: 0
• Draws: 0
• Goals scored by England: 6
• Goals scored by Panama: 1
• First meeting: June 24, 2018 (FIFA World Cup Group G)

Also Read: Preview: Panama vs England prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026

Previous meeting between Panama and England

England 6-1 Panama – FIFA World Cup 2018 (Group G)

The only previous meeting between the two nations took place on June 24, 2018, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium during the FIFA World Cup in Russia. England raced into a commanding lead through John Stones, who headed home from a corner before Harry Kane doubled the advantage from the penalty spot. Jesse Lingard added a superb strike from outside the box before Stones grabbed his second goal from another set-piece. Kane converted a second penalty just before half-time to send England into the break with an astonishing 5-0 lead.

England continued to dominate after the restart, with Kane completing his hat-trick courtesy of a fortunate deflection that wrong-footed the goalkeeper. Panama refused to give up and produced a landmark moment in the 78th minute when veteran defender Felipe Baloy volleyed home from a free-kick to score the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal. Although England comfortably sealed a 6-1 victory, Baloy’s strike remains one of the most celebrated moments in Panamanian football history.

Panama vs England: All Previous meeting results

• 24 June 2018: England 6-1 Panama – FIFA World Cup (Group G)
• England scorers: John Stones (8′, 40′), Harry Kane (22′ pen, 45+1′ pen, 62′), Jesse Lingard (36′)
• Panama scorer: Felipe Baloy (78′)

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.