During the morning of this Wednesday, June 17, the red tide of Panama concentrated in Nathan Phillips Square, located in front of the town hall of Toronto, Canadato encourage to the Panamanian team on the eve of the match that the Canaleros will play against Ghana in the Canadian city, in what will be their debut in the 2026 World Cup.
With flags, red shirts, drums and chants, Panama fans transformed one of the most emblematic places in Panama for a few hours. toronto at a party central american before the meeting with which the team led by Thomas Christiansen will begin its participation in the second World Cup in its history.
Given this situation, for the match they expect between 20 thousand and 25 thousand Panamanian fans in the stands of the Toronto Stadium, close to half the capacity, so it will be a massive presence to accompany a team that is playing in its second World Cup and is still looking for its first point in the tournament, after registering three defeats in the 2018.
However, although Panama lost its three matches in Russiathe atmosphere among the fans is very different eight years later, since confidence is high and the conviction, repeated again and again in Nathan Phillips Square, is that Christiansen’s team can do history. “I think we can aspire to a lot,” added the coach. Spanish.
What time does Panama play?
The Panama team will debut in the 2026 World Cup this Wednesday, June 17 at 5:00 p.m. of Guatemala, at the BMO Field, located in the city of Toronto, Canada, against the Ghana team, a team that stands out for combining a great physical power with speed in counterattacks, since it prioritizes transitions.
“These guys are younger, they have had a very good coach, they have gained experience and each one contributes their experience on other teams. I think the team is very well put together,” added Eduardo Baldía, 40, who before joining the Panamanian flag in Toronto decided to visit Niagara Falls, very close to ontario.
Read more: Video! These were Mbappé’s goals to give France victory against Senegal in the World Cup
For the Panamanian fans, this World Cup represents “the second opportunity to show” how much they have improved Panama from Russia, so the fans in Toronto are already dressed in red to support the Canalera Redwhich will try to get the first World Cup point in its entire history against a tough African rival.
“We are going to give a great surprise and we are going to prove it by winning. The Panamanian people, with the few resources they have, have come in large numbers to support the team and I know that the team will feel it on the field,” said Eduardo Baldía, who told the news agency EFE that his prediction for the match is a 2-1 in favor of Panama.
Optimism in Panama
“The team looks strong, we have good technical direction and we remain positive“said another Panamanian fan in Toronto, Ramon Castillo50 years old, who summed up the mood of the fans with one word: energysince this can manifest itself through the passionunconditional support and adrenalin shared.
After facing the Ghana team this Wednesday, June 17, La Roja Canalera will face Croatia the next Tuesday June 23at BMO Field in Toronto. Later, the Central Americans will compete against England on Saturday, June 27 in New Jersey, in what will be the revenge of the 6-1 suffered in the Russian edition.
Today we debut in our second World Cup. 🇵🇦✨
With the pride of representing Panama and the enthusiasm of an entire country, we went out in search of our first victory.
🇬🇭 Ghana 🆚 Panama 🇵🇦
📅 June 17
🕖 6:00 pm (Panama time)
🏟️Toronto Stadium
📺 @tvmaxdeportes,… pic.twitter.com/vUv21t7Dpd— FEPAFUT (@fepafut) June 17, 2026