The Panama Copa America 2024 squad has been announced.
Panama qualified for the tournament after reaching the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League this season, and though they lost to Mexico in that round, their progress ensured they reached Copa America without having to enter the playoffs.
And Panama have performed well at tournaments in the United States before, having reached the final of the Gold Cup in 2023 by defeating the hosts in the semi-finals on penalties. While they were beaten by Mexico, Panama will head to Copa America confident of causing more upsets.
Drawn into a group containing Uruguay, USA and Bolivia, Panama will need to be at the top of their game to progress to the knockout rounds. They've only previously been involved in one tournament before, in 2016, where they failed to make it out of the groups.
Panama's squad
Panama Copa America 2024 squad: The full team
- GK: Luis Mejía (Nacional)
- GK: César Samudio (Marathón)
- GK: Orlando Mosquera (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
- DF: Eric Davis (Košice)
- DF: José Córdoba (Levski Sofia)
- DF: Fidel Escobar (Saprissa)
- DF: César Blackman (Slovan Bratislava)
- DF: Michael Amir Murillo (Marseille)
- DF: Roderick Miller (Turan Tovuz)
- DF: Iván Anderson (Fortaleza)
- DF: Eduardo Anderson (Saprissa)
- DF: Edgardo Fariña (Municipal)
- DF: Martín Krug (Atlético Levante)
- MF: Aníbal Godoy (Nashville)
- MF: Yoel Bárcenas (Mazatlán)
- MF: Adalberto Carrasquilla (Houston Dynamo)
- MF: José Luis Rodríguez (Famalicão)
- MF: César Yanis (San Carlos)
- MF: Abdiel Ayarza (Cienciano)
- MF: Cristian Martínez (Al-Jandal)
- MF: Freddy Góndola (Maccabi Bnei Reineh)
- MF: Jovani Welch (Académico de Viseu)
- MF: Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United)
- FW: Eduardo Guerrero (Zorya Luhansk)
- FW: Ismael Díaz (Universidad Católica)
- FW: José Fajardo (Universidad Católica)
- FW: Cecilio Waterman (Alianza Lima)
Panama fixtures and results
June 23: Uruguay v Panama, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, United States
June 27: Panama v United States, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
July 1: Bolivia v Panama, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, United States
Panama manager: Thomas Christiansen
Christiansen enjoyed a successful 15-year playing career before moving into management in 2014 with Cypriot side AEK Larnaca. The Dane then moved to APOEL for two seasons, finishing first and second.
That prompted Leeds United to pick up the phone for the 2017/18 campaign, but he failed to last a full term in charge. A season at Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium followed, with Panama then appointing him their manager in 2020. He has been in charge ever since, leading them to the final of the Gold Cup in 2023 as a highlight.
Panama's star player
Anibal Godoy
Though Godoy is 34, the Panama captain leads his side from midfield with tough tackling and defensive solidity. Closing in on Gabriel Gomez's 148 international caps - Panama's record appearance maker - Godoy first turned out for his nation in 2010 and has been integral ever since. Now at Nashville, he will be helped by team-mate and fellow elder statesman Alberto Quintero.
