The Panama national soccer team, governed by the Panamanian Football Federation, has shown significant progress in international football over the years. The team represents Panama in men's international football competitions and is a member of both FIFA and CONCACAF.

History

The team played its first international match in 1938 against Venezuela. However, it wasn't until the late 20th century that Panama began to make a mark on the international stage. The growth of soccer in Panama has been steady, with improvements in both player development and international competition results.

Major Successes

• FIFA World Cup: Panama qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in 2018, held in Russia. It was a historic achievement for the country, although the team was eliminated in the group stage.
• CONCACAF Gold Cup: Panama has been a strong competitor in the Gold Cup. They have reached the final twice, in 2005 and 2013, finishing as runners-up on both occasions.
• Copa Centroamericana: Panama won the Copa Centroamericana in 2009, marking a significant regional success.

Notable Players

• Blas Pérez: Known for his goal-scoring prowess, Pérez has been a key figure in Panama's attack for many years.
• Román Torres: A central defender, Torres played a crucial role in Panama's qualification for the 2018 World Cup, scoring the decisive goal against Costa Rica.
• Jaime Penedo: The long-time goalkeeper, Penedo, has been a standout for Panama with his impressive performances in goal.
• Gabriel Gómez: As one of the most capped players for Panama, Gómez has been an influential midfielder for the team.

Notable Coaches

• Hernán Darío Gómez: Known as "El Bolillo," he was the coach who led Panama to their first World Cup qualification in 2018.
• Julio Dely Valdés: A former Panamanian international player, Dely Valdés served as head coach and helped the team reach the 2013 Gold Cup final.

Panama continues to develop its soccer programs and aims to build on its successes to become a consistent competitor on the world stage.