Panama vs England Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Panama have been difficult to play against but they have been left frustrated with back-to-back defeats as they now take on an England side that need to respond to their midweek draw against Ghana.
Kick-off date/time:
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Panama preview: Beaten and out
Former Leeds United boss Thomas Christiansen would have believed that a familiarity of the conditions in North America would make them a tough test at FIFA World Cup 2026 and, while they have been awkward opponents, they have now been eliminated from the tournament with back-to-back defeats without find the net.
In their opening game against Ghana, the Panamanians succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Ghana with a late Caleb Yirenkyi winner before Ante Budimir came off the bench to give Croatia a slender 1-0 victory against the Central Americans in Toronto in their second game.
England preview: Frustrated Three Lions
Thomas Tuchel and his England side began the tournament as one of the favourites for the trophy and a 15-minute spell in the second half of their opener against Croatia laid down a marker, helping them beat the 2018 finalists and 2022 semi-finalists by four goals to two in Dallas.
The Three Lions then tripped up in their second game as they shared a goalless draw with Ghana with England lacking the guile and incision to break down a deep defensive block, and bringing expectations of their supporters back down a fair bit.
Panama team news: Possible changes
All-time appearance maker and team captain Anibal Godoy was again left on the bench against Croatia and he is struggling to get fully fit, while Adalberto Carrasquilla hasn't got on the pitch yet as he deals with fitness issues.
Cecilio Waterman may come back into the eleven ahead of the ineffective Jose Fajardo, while Eric Davis will be pushing for a start ahead of the underperforming and out-of-position Cesar Blackman at left wing-back.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Mosquera; Ramos, Cordoba, Andrade; Murillo, Harvey, Martinez, Davis; Barcenas, J. Rodriguez; Waterman
Unavailable:
Questionable: Carrasquilla (Fitness), Godoy (Fitness)
England team news: James out
Thomas Tuchel said that 'nobody could have seen this coming' with regards to the injury prone Reece James picking up an injury. It has been reported that the Chelsea defender will be sidelined for 'at least' two matches.
As well as that, Elliot Anderson is also now a doubt with Declan Rice far from fully fit, as he has stated himself. Tuchel has said that Anderson is available. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford come in for Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon on the wing for England.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
Unavailable: James (Injured)
Questionable: Anderson (Injured), Rice (Fitness)
Panama’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Michael Murillo ($5.0m) – Defender
Jose Luis Rodriguez ($5.6m) – Midfielder
Cecilio Waterman ($5.0m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Michael Murillo
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Eric Davis
Free kicks: Amir Murillo
Corners: Jose Luis Rodriguez
England’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Jordan Pickford ($4.8m) – Goalkeeper
Nico O’Reilly ($4.7m) – Defender
Harry Kane ($10.5m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Harry Kane
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Harry Kane
Free kicks: Declan Rice
Corners: Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka
Key stats
- In their only previous meeting, England posted their biggest FIFA World Cup win with a 6-1 victory over Panama in the group stage of the 2018 tournament in Nizhny Novgorod, John Stones scoring twice and Harry Kane bagging a hat-trick (including two penalties) en route to winning the tournament’s Golden Boot with six goals.
- Panama are seeking their first positive result at the World Cup having lost their five matches in the competition to date.
- Édgar Yoel Bárcenas and José Luis Rodríguez are the only players to have made an appearance in all of Panama’s five fixtures in their history at the World Cup.
- England have been losing at half-time in only one of their last 42 World Cup group matches (includes second group stage).
- Ahead of the 2026 finals, England had qualified from the opening round group stage in 12 of their last 13 World Cup participations and had finished the group stage unbeaten in four of their most recent six campaigns.
- The 0-0 against Ghana was England’s 13th goalless draw at the FIFA World Cup – more than any other team.
- Marcus Rashford has equalled Denilson’s record for the most substitute appearances – 11 – in FIFA World Cup history.
- Jordan Pickford is poised to move into outright second on England’s all‑time FIFA World Cup appearance list, with his 15th match set to move him clear of Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Terry Butcher and Ashley Cole — leaving only Peter Shilton (17) ahead of him.
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Panama vs England prediction
Panama will expect to be awkward opponents in this final game and defeating England remains a very enticing achievement, and they have been given a blueprint on how to limit the English here.
England manager Tuchel and assistant manager Anthony Barry didn't seem overly frustrated by their draw against Ghana, accepting that if the opposition defends like Ghana did then it will be tough for England to beat them, which will be a worry as the tournament goes on.
England will be expected to come out on top and Panama may not pose too much of a threat going forward but backing England to rack up a score would be risky, whereas them keeping a clean sheet is to be expected.
Panama vs England betting tip: England to win to nil
