Panama forward Cecilio Waterman has expressed confidence that his side can compete against their opponents in the 2026 World Cup group stage.
Waterman played a key role in securing Panama’s qualification for the tournament, scoring twice in their decisive 3-2 victory over Guatemala during the qualifiers. The win sealed the Central American nation’s return to football’s biggest stage.
Panama have been drawn in Group L alongside Ghana, Croatia and England — a tough group on paper, but one Waterman believes his team can challenge.
Speaking to FIFA, the forward said the gap between nations has narrowed, pointing to Costa Rica’s past World Cup performances as evidence that so-called smaller teams can hold their own against the best.
“They are opponents with great stature, but in every sense I think the gap has closed,” he said.
“I think we can use Costa Rica as an example of when they have gone to World Cups. They have competed, and so now we have to continue that and go to the World Cup to compete and make things difficult for teams.
“And who said we can’t take the three points in a game? I’m convinced we can, because it’s football — anything can happen,” Waterman concluded.
Panama will open their World Cup campaign against Ghana at the Toronto Stadium on June 18.
