Panama vs England: Five key battles to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026

The race for qualification to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Group L heads into the final match week, setting up a thrilling finish. Three teams still have a chance of finishing in the top two, while all four sides remain in contention for a top three finish and potential qualification to knockouts.

England currently sit at the top of the group with four points, having beaten Croatia and drawn against Ghana in their opening two matches. They lead Ghana on goal difference and know that a victory will guarantee their place in the top two. Even a draw would secure qualification regardless of the result in the other group fixture.

Standing in their way is Panama, who are yet to pick up a point in the tournament. Despite losing both of their matches, they have shown plenty of resilience, with both defeats ending in narrow 1-0 scorelines. If they can pull off an upset against England and secure all three points, they could still have a chance of reaching the knockout stages, provided other results go their way.

The match is scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States, on June 27. While England hold a clear advantage on paper, here are five key battles that could have a major impact on the outcome of the game.

5. Jose Fajardo vs Ezri Konsa

Jose Fajardo, Panama’s joint-highest goalscorer in international football in the current squad, will carry the hopes of head coach Thomas Christiansen as his side look to find their first goal of the tournament. Fajardo excels at making intelligent runs in behind the defensive line and will come up against Ezri Konsa, a defender known for his pace, physicality, and positional awareness.

The Panamanian forward also leads the press effectively and possesses enough strength to hold up play in the final third. This could be important against Konsa, who likes to defend proactively and can occasionally leave space behind him when stepping out to challenge attackers.

4. Bukayo Saka vs Cesar Blackman

Noni Madueke has struggled to produce consistent end product in the tournament, and Thomas Tuchel may be tempted to hand Bukayo Saka a starting opportunity ahead of the knockout rounds. Although Saka has lost a bit of flair in his game in recent past, he remains one of England’s most dangerous attacking players thanks to his excellent 1v1 ability and consistent output in the final third.

He is likely to come up against Cesar Blackman, a left wing-back known for his energetic runs and ball-carrying ability. Blackman often commits heavily to attacking situations and, despite possessing good recovery pace, can leave significant space behind him. That could prove dangerous against a player like Saka, who thrives when given room to drive at defenders and create opportunities.

3. Jude Bellingham vs Yoel Barcenas

Jude Bellingham has often been mis-profiled and has been deployed in a more advanced midfield role for England, despite many believing his best position is as a box-to-box midfielder. The Real Madrid star is expected to face Yoel Barcenas, a natural winger who has recently been used in midfield by Panama due to his versatility.

Bellingham is an exceptional ball carrier with outstanding technical quality and vision. He is also renowned for making late runs into the penalty area and arriving in dangerous positions to score goals. Barcenas has occasionally struggled with positional discipline in midfield, which could allow Bellingham additional freedom in and around the box. However, the Panamanian remains a major threat from set-pieces and will be hoping to influence the game through dead-ball situations.

2. Marcus Rashford vs Michael Murillo

Another England manager, another major tournament where Marcus Rashford finds himself competing for a starting role. The Manchester United winger made an immediate impact in the opening match by coming off the bench and scoring, while his brief cameo against Ghana arguably showed more attacking intent than Gordon managed throughout large spells of the game.

Rashford’s explosive pace and powerful ball striking make him a constant threat in transition. He is expected to come up against Michael Murillo, a defender known for his strong 1v1 defending and ability to contribute to attack through overlapping runs. Like Blackman, Murillo can sometimes become overly involved in attacking phases, leaving space behind him. Rashford will be eager to exploit those areas with his direct running and pace.

1. Jose Cordoba vs Harry Kane

Jose Cordoba, the leader of Panama’s defense, will face one of the toughest assignments of his career when he comes up against England captain Harry Kane. Kane showcased his quality in the opening game with his movement inside the box and excellent link-up play, although he was unable to make the same impact against Ghana.

Cordoba is a physically imposing defender blessed with pace and athleticism, allowing him to recover quickly and win duels. However, he can sometimes be rash in challenges and give away unnecessary fouls.

Kane will look to use his hold-up play to draw him into challenges and win fouls in dangerous areas. Cordoba can also be vulnerable when pressed aggressively in possession, and Kane has the intelligence and work rate to force mistakes high up the pitch. With qualification on the line, this individual battle could prove decisive in determining the outcome of the match.

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