When Panama national team faced El Salvador national team at Estadio Cuscatlán on 10 October 2025, the lone goal came from Ismael Díaz in the 78th minute. Thomas Frank Christiansen, Panama’s head coach, praised the finish, while Luis Fernando Tena, manager of the Guatemala national team, lamented a last‑minute equaliser against the Surinam national team the night before. The result nudged Panama into second place in Group A of the CONCACAF World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, a crucial step toward a direct berth.

Historical context: Why the group matters

Group A has been anything but predictable. When the final round kicked off on 5 September 2025, most pundits expected the traditional powerhouses—Mexico and the United States—to dominate the region, but the new format, introduced by Victor Montagliani in 2023, reshuffled the deck into three six‑team groups. That change gave smaller nations like Surinam and Curaçao a realistic shot at the three automatic slots. Surinam’s early surge mirrors their 2017 surprise run, when they also topped a qualification mini‑group with just two points lost in the first three fixtures.

Match details: How Panama clinched the win

The atmosphere at Cuscatlán was electric. Fans draped in red, white and blue chanted “¡Vamos Panamá!” as the game kicked off at 20:30 local time. Both sides pressed hard in the opening 30 minutes, but it was Panama’s midfield maestro, Alberto Zapata, who threaded the decisive pass to Díaz.

• Minute 78: Ismael Díaz slotted a low‑drive past El Salvador keeper Juan Carlos Vargas.
• El Salvador’s best chance came in the 85th minute when forward José María Rivas forced a header off the crossbar.
• The final whistle confirmed a 1‑0 victory, leaving Panama with three points and a +1 goal‑difference.

Post‑match, Christiansen said, “Now we have three finals left, and each one is a final.” He stressed the importance of goal‑difference, a factor that already separated Panama from Surinam after the head‑to‑head result on 9 October 2025.

Reactions from the dugout and the federation

The Federación Panameña de Fútbol (FEPAFUT) held a brief press conference. President Jorge D. Valdez called the win a “crucial step toward the World Cup 2026.” Meanwhile, the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol (FESFUT) issued a sober statement, acknowledging the defeat and promising to regroup for the upcoming clash with Guatemala.

Guatemala’s coach Tena, still reeling from the 1‑1 draw with Surinam, said, “It hurts a lot to lose two points in the last minute.” He hinted at a tactical tweak for the 14 October encounter with Panama, hoping to secure at least one point.

Group A standings and what they mean

After three matchdays, the table looks like this:

1. Surinam – 5 pts, +1 GD (top of the group on head‑to‑head)
2. Panama – 5 pts, +1 GD
3. El Salvador – 2 pts, 0 GD
4. Guatemala – 2 pts, –1 GD

If the campaign halted today, Surinam would claim the direct berth, while Panama would drop into the inter‑continental repechage alongside Jamaica and Honduras from Group B. That scenario mirrors the 2019 cycle, where the CONCACAF second‑place teams had to navigate a grueling six‑match playoff.

Upcoming fixtures: The next three crucial dates

Tuesday, 14 October 2025 is set to be a pivotal night. Panama travels to Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City to face the Guatemala national team. Simultaneously, El Salvador hosts that same opponent, turning the day into a mini‑tournament for the group’s bottom half.

Surinam’s schedule pits them against Honduras in Paramaribo, a match that could swing the top spot if Panama slips. The margins are razor‑thin, and each goal now carries the weight of a potential qualification.

Expert analysis: What the numbers suggest

Sports analyst María González of Marca Deportes points out that Panama’s defensive record—only two goals conceded in six games—ranks third best across all groups. “If they keep a clean sheet in the next two matches, they’ll force a three‑way tie on points, and goal‑difference will be the decider,” González warned.

Conversely, James O’Shea, a former FIFA referee turned commentator, notes that Surinam’s reliance on a single striker, Renzo Valdez, could become a liability if Panama’s defense neutralises him. “Depth will matter more than star power in the final stretch,” O’Shea added.

Broader impact: How the qualifiers shape the region

Beyond the immediate stakes, the CONCACAF qualifiers have become a showcase for the region’s growing competitiveness. The three‑nation host model for the World Cup 2026 has injected extra funding into facilities like the newly renovated Estadio Cuscatlán and the André Kamperveen Complex in Paramaribo. Smaller federations are now able to attract diaspora talent, a trend that could see nations like Surinam and Curaçao become regulars at future World Cups.

For Panama, securing a direct spot would mark the third consecutive World Cup appearance—a rare achievement for a Central American side. It would also boost the nation’s FIFA ranking, potentially leading to more lucrative friendlies against European opponents.

What’s next for the campaign?

The final round of matches runs from 15 October to 18 November 2025. Each team will play five more games, meaning the group leader could change twice before the deadline. Fans should keep an eye on injury updates for key players like Panama’s captain Román Torres, who missed the Cuscatlán match with a hamstring strain.

In the end, the story of Group A is still being written, and every corner kick could rewrite the qualification script.