Mexico Panama Gold Cup finalGetty
Abhinav Sharma

Panama Copa America 2024 squad: Which Canaleros players are going to the USA?

Which 26 players will Panama head coach Thomas Christensen take to the 2024 Copa America in United States?

Ranked 41 in the most recent FIFA rankings, Panama have made impressive progress in recent years, going from pushovers into dark horses within recent CONCACAF competitions.

After pushing Mexico all the way in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, head coach Thomas Christiansen has built them into a side capable of contending with the continental top guns, on a one-off occasion.

Drawn in Group C alongside the hosts, the USMNT, and fellow World Cup regulars Uruguay, the Copa America undoubtedly poses a different level of obstacles, but Christiansen's pragmatism will guarantee they have a solid foundation.

A 26-player squad has been submitted by Panama head coach Christiansen to participate in the 2024 Copa America.

GOAL takes a look at the predicted Panama squad for this summer's Copa America, based upon the assumption that everyone fully fit for March international duty will remain as such in the summer.

  • Mosquera PanamaGetty

    GOALKEEPERS

    Panama's squad will understandably come together from all over the world, featuring players plying their trade in the South Americas, the United States, Europe, and even the Middle East.

    There should be no surprises in the goalkeeping department, though, with Maccabi Tel Aviv No. 1 Orlando Mosquera set to keep his spot as the starting shot-stopper, with Luis Mejia and Cesar Samudio battling out for a spot on the bench.

    NameClub
    César SamudioCD Marathón
    Luis MejíaClub Nacional
    Orlando MosqueraMaccabi Tel Aviv
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  • EscobarGetty

    DEFENDERS

    Experienced centre-back Fidel Escobar should be one of the first names on the team sheet in Panama's starting XI at the 2024 Copa America, possibly alongside Andres Andrare and Jose Cordoba since Christiansen typically plays a 3-4-3. If the Danish manager goes with a back-four, Miller, Davis, Anderson, and Blackman will be available as full-back options at his disposal.

    NameClub
    Andrés AndradeLASK
    César BlackmanSlovan Bratislava
    Éric DavisFC Kosice
    Iván AndersonFortaleza CEIF
    Michael Amir MurilloMarseille
    José CórdobaNorwich City
    Roderick MillerTuran-Tovuz IK
    Martín Krug Atlético Levante
    Edgardo Fariña Municipal
    Eduardo Anderson Saprissa
  • Adalberto Carrasquilla PanamaGetty

    MIDFIELDERS

    Houston Dynamo maestro Adalberto Carrasquilla has burst onto the scene in MLS during the last 18 months and has become the most valuable player in the Panama squad. Known for his splendid passing range and the ability to hold onto the possession under pressure, the 25-year-old's vision would be integral for the Panamanians to hurt the opposition on the counter.

    Nashville defensive midfielder Anibal Godoy will captain the side. Other than that, Christiansen is expected to call upon many of his usual suspects in midfield, including the likes of Christian Martinez, Edgar Barcenas and Jose Luis Rodriguez.

    NameClub
    Aníbal GodoyNashville SC
    Adalberto CarrasquillaHouston Dynamo FC
    Abdiel AyarzaClub Cienciano
    César YanisSan Carlos
    Cristian MartínezAl-Jandal SC
    Edgar BarcenasMazatlan
    Jose Luis RodriguezFamalicão
    Freddy GóndolaMaccabi Bnei Reineh
    Jovani Welch Académico de Viseu
    Carlos Harvey Minnesota United
  • Waterman PanamaGetty

    FORWARDS

    Forward Alberto Quintero is the roster's most-capped player with nearly 140 international caps. Alianza striker Cecilio Waterman's ten goals lead the team, while forward Ismael Diaz finished second in the Gold Cup Golden Boot race with four goals.

    NameClub
    Cecilio WatermanClub Alianza Lima
    Eduardo Guerrero Zorya Luhansk
    Ismael DiazCatolica
    José FajardoCD Universidad Católica
  • Thomas Christiansen Panama Getty

    EXPECTED XI

    Christiansen is expected to set his side up in a 3-4-3 formation or a similar back-three variation, with goalkeeper Mosquera tasked with keeping his side in games against superior opponents.

    Playmaker Carrasquilla will pair up with fellow MLS midfielder and skipper Godoy to form the double pivot, flanked by wing-backs Barcenas and Davis.

    The attacking trio featuring Fajardo, Waterman, and Diaz will need to be super decisive in the final third.

    Panama predicted XI (3-4-3): Mosquera; Escobar, Cordoba, Andrade; Barcenas, Godoy, Carrasquilla, Davis; Fajardo, Waterman, Diaz