Contents of this guide
When the Panama national team plays next
The senior men’s team returns in November 2026. The federation’s report on the end of the tour says the squad now turns to November, when it plays the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, which award places in the 2027 Gold Cup and the Final Four.
Panama went straight into that round. Concacaf confirmed on July 24, 2026 that the four highest-ranked teams in its ranking (Mexico, the United States, Canada and Panama, in that order) would skip the League A group stage. The quarterfinals are two-legged series played in November, and the scheduled window runs from November 9 to 17, 2026.
The opponent had not been confirmed as of October 5, 2026. The competition bracket matches the fourth pre-seeded team, Panama, with the best group winner. Curaçao won Group A with 10 points, according to an AFP report, while Group B was playing its final matchday on Monday, October 5 with Suriname on top with 7 points. On points, Curaçao is the leading candidate, and only a Suriname win would match its 10. Concacaf has said the pairings are set using its ranking and the group stage results, so the official matchup depends on its announcement.
No day, time or stadium has been published for Panama’s two matches either. The federation’s calendar, checked on October 5, 2026, did not yet list any senior team fixture in November.
How Panama against Ecuador ended
The Panama against Ecuador match that trended in searches on October 4 involved the senior men’s football team. It was the third-place match of the Kirin Cup, a four-team friendly tournament with Japan, New Zealand, Ecuador and Panama. It was played at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 1:30 a.m. Panama time, meaning the early hours that followed Sunday the 4th.
Regulation time ended 1 to 1. Josué Vergara, 18, opened the scoring in the 38th minute on his senior debut, and Juan Angulo equalized for Ecuador in the 58th, according to the federation’s match report. Panama won the shootout 7 to 6. Goalkeeper Eddie Roberts saved two kicks, from Anthony Valencia and Juan Angulo, according to La Prensa. Amir Murillo reached 100 appearances for Panama that night.
It was the third match of an Asian tour with no wins or losses inside 90 minutes. Panama drew 1 to 1 with India on September 25 in Bengaluru, with a goal from Omar Valencia, and drew 1 to 1 with New Zealand on October 1 in Yokohama, with a goal from Giovany Herbert, before losing that semifinal 5 to 3 on penalties.
Panama’s schedule for the rest of the year
The October FIFA window has already been played: it was the tour of India and Japan. What remains in 2026 is the Nations League quarterfinal series in November.
| Date | Match | Competition | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 25 | India 1, Panama 1 | Friendly | Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru | Played |
| October 1 | Panama 1, New Zealand 1 (3 to 5 on penalties) | Kirin Cup, semifinal | International Stadium Yokohama | Played |
| October 5 | Panama 1, Ecuador 1 (7 to 6 on penalties) | Kirin Cup, third place | National Stadium, Tokyo | Played |
| November 9 to 17 | Panama against the best group winner, first leg | Concacaf Nations League, quarterfinals | To be confirmed | Opponent and date to be confirmed |
| November 9 to 17 | Panama against the best group winner, second leg | Concacaf Nations League, quarterfinals | To be confirmed | Opponent and date to be confirmed |
| March 25 to 28, 2027 | Finals, only if Panama wins its series | Concacaf Nations League | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | Subject to qualification |
Sources: the federation for matches played and Concacaf for the quarterfinal window and the Finals. Checked on October 5, 2026.
The window falls in the month of Panama’s national holidays, covered in the guide to November holidays and long weekends.
Where to watch Panama’s matches
No broadcast has been announced for the November quarterfinals, since the matches have no date or time yet. For reference, all three matches of the Asian tour aired on free-to-air television in Panama. The federation’s preview of the Ecuador match named RPC TV and TVMAX, and TVN reported it was showing the match on TVMAX, on its TVN Pass platform and on the TVMAX Panamá YouTube channel. Telemetro had announced the New Zealand semifinal on RPC, with a pregame show from 12:30 a.m.
How Panama did at the 2026 World Cup and who coaches the team
Panama played the 2026 World Cup in Group L and went out in the group stage with no points and no goals scored. It lost 1 to 0 to Ghana on June 17 in Toronto, 1 to 0 to Croatia on June 23 in the same city and 2 to 0 to England on June 27 at MetLife Stadium. England won the group with 7 points, followed by Croatia with 6 and Ghana with 4, according to the Group L entry on Wikipedia.
The head coach is still Thomas Christiansen, who led the team in all three matches of the Asian tour, according to the federation and Telemetro. In the Nations League, Panama was runner-up last time and has reached the Final Four in the last three editions, as La Prensa noted.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Panama national team’s next match?
In November 2026, inside the November 9 to 17 window, in the quarterfinals of the 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League. The series is played home and away. As of October 5, 2026, no exact dates had been published.
Who does Panama play next?
The best group winner from the League A group stage, which had not been officially confirmed as of October 5, 2026. Curaçao won Group A with 10 points and is the leading candidate on points. Group B was finishing that same Monday.
Where can Panama’s match be watched?
No broadcast has been announced yet for the November quarterfinals. The Asian tour matches aired in Panama on RPC TV and TVMAX, as well as TVN Pass and the TVMAX Panamá YouTube channel.
What time does Panama play?
No kickoff time has been confirmed for the November matches as of October 5, 2026. The last match, against Ecuador in Tokyo, was played on Monday, October 5 at 1:30 a.m. Panama time.
What was the score of Panama against Ecuador?
Panama won 7 to 6 on penalties after a 1 to 1 draw in regulation time and finished third in the Kirin Cup. Josué Vergara scored Panama’s goal in the 38th minute and Eddie Roberts saved two penalties.
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Sources
All sources were checked on October 5, 2026. Most are in Spanish.
- FEPAFUT, Panama beats Ecuador on penalties and takes third place.
- FEPAFUT, Panama against Ecuador preview.
- FEPAFUT, Panama loses to New Zealand on penalties and Panama draws with India.
- FEPAFUT, calendar.
- Concacaf, 2026/27 Nations League groups confirmed and Concacaf, start of the fifth edition.
- Wikipedia, 2026/27 CONCACAF Nations League A.
- AFP via Unitel, Curaçao and Haiti reach the quarterfinals.
- TVN, Panama against Ecuador on TVMAX, Telemetro, Panama against Ecuador result and Telemetro, where to watch Panama on the Asian tour.
- La Prensa, Panama beats Ecuador on penalties and La Prensa, Panama and the Nations League.
- Wikipedia, 2026 World Cup Group L, La Nación, Croatia 1, Panama 0 and TUDN, Panama against England.
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