Why isn’t Adalberto Carrasquilla there? Panama will face Ghana without one of its great figures

Home Sport Why isn’t Adalberto Carrasquilla there? Panama will face Ghana without one of its great figures
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June 17, 2026June 17, 2026By Mario Vásquez
Why isn’t Adalberto Carrasquilla there? Panama will face Ghana without one of its great figures

The selection of Panama will debut in the 2026 World Cup this Wednesday, June 17, in a duel against Ghanawhich will be played at the Toronto Stadium in Canada, corresponding to the first date of the Group Lwhere the squad England already occupies first position after defeating 4-2 Croatia in the city of Dallas, Texas.

Adalberto Carrasquilla was one of the names called lead to Panama in its debut in the 2026 World Cup, given that the midfielder Cougars arrived at the World Cup as one of the greats figures of the red team to face Ghana, in a match considered clue in the fight to advance to the round of 32.

However, the Spanish technical director Thomas Christiansen surprised by leaving the midfielder out of the starting eleven, so that many Panamanian fans worried about a possible relapse or a injury seriously, taking into consideration that Carrasquilla was injured in the Liga MX final that he lost to Pumas.

In the second half of that final in Mexico, Adalberto Carrasquilla received a sweep of Amaury Garciafrom Cruz Azul, and had to leave the field in a cart. Moments later, the Panamanian was seen crying on the Pumas bench because of the risk of missing the 2026 World Cup with Panama, the second of all its history.

What happened to Carrasquilla?

After having been runner-up in Mexico with Pumas, one of the Central Americans what else delusion The team for this World Cup was Adalberto Carrasquilla, but coach Thomas Christiansen decided not to start him against Ghana. However, the Coconut Yes, he is available for the game and could have several minutes.

According to the American television network TUDNthe main reason for his absence in the starting lineup is his physical statesince Carrasquilla drags discomfort since the final played with Pumas against Cruz Azul, a match in which he suffered a injury which seriously complicated his preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

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Since then, the midfielder Panamanian 27 years has worked for recover and arrive in conditions to the tournament, which marks Panama’s return to a World Cup after its historic participation in Russia 2018where, despite having lost all three of their group stage matches, they managed to score against England and Tunisia.

Faced with this scenario, the most sensitive absence in Panama’s starting lineup against Ghana is that of “Coco” Carrasquillawho will not start from the start after being left out of the eleven for the debut against the Black Starsselection that is characterized by combining physical power, explosive speed and individual technical ability.

Carrasquilla’s injury

Spanish coach Thomas Christiansen had mentioned that Adalberto Carrasquilla was recovering from a muscle injury in the left adductorsuffered during the final stretch of the season. Therefore, although Coco managed to make progress in his recovery, the coaching staff decided don’t risk it since the start of the match.

Adalberto Carrasquilla arrived at the 2026 World Cup with differentiated work and with the expectation of being availablealthough without guarantees of disputing the 90 minutes. For this reason, Thomas Christiansen chose to reserve it and keep it as a alternative for the development of the match or for the matches against England and Croatia.

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