Panama Coach: 'Why Can't We Be Morocco at the 2026 World Cup?'
Panama national team coach Thomas Christiansen has expressed his ambition to achieve a historic feat at the 2026 World Cup, asserting that his team is not afraid to face major national teams and drawing inspiration from Morocco's experience at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
In an interview with the Spanish newspaper "AS," Christiansen stated: "I want us to get past the group stage, and if we deliver something extra, why can't we be Morocco at this World Cup?"
The 53-year-old coach explained that the Panamanian national team is experiencing one of its best historical periods, having guided them to qualify for the World Cup for the second time, reach the Gold Cup final in 2023, and the CONCACAF Nations League final in 2025.
Christiansen also noted Panama's remarkable progress in the FIFA rankings, moving from 87th when he took charge to 29th, their best-ever ranking, before currently settling at 33rd globally.
He further emphasized that his players feel no fear against big teams, stating: "We are not afraid of big teams, and that is clear. We have instilled this mentality in the players and the fans as well."
Panama will compete in a strong World Cup group alongside Croatia, England, and Ghana. Their coach believes that facing Ghana in the first round will be a crucial key in the race to qualify for the next stage.
